Bar Down

HOW TAHOE DONNER IS LEADING THE CHARGE IN CHAIRLIFT SAFETY

By Tiffany Connolly

If you’ve ever skied in Europe, you probably know it is common practice for a lift to stop running if users don’t use the restraint bar. In Canada, skiers who don’t lower the restraint bar are frowned upon, as it is unacceptable practice to leave it up. Unfortunately, the culture in California is very different. It is not uncommon to ride a lift with skiers or snowboarders who don’t use the restraint bar. This culture must change.

Tahoe Donner is a unique resort in the Lake Tahoe area. Our tag line, “The Best Place to Begin,” is a perfect description of our ski area. With mostly beginner to intermediate terrain, many children and beginners develop their skiing and snowboarding behaviors here. Eventually, many participants move on to other Lake Tahoe resorts with more advanced terrain. The chairlift safety habits that guests develop at Tahoe Donner carry over to other resorts. Tahoe Donner has a great opportunity to impact the future skiing
and riding community by creating a foundation for lifelong safety habits. We have embraced this responsibility.

For the 2019-2020 season, Tahoe Donner made an investment in time and resources to develop a multi-pronged approach to Chairlift Safety which includes:

• An employee training program for all Downhill Ski Resort department
• New lift operations employee training program
• New signage on lift towers and unloading areas
• CSIA Lift Safety video running in the ski lodge
• Bar Down stickers on the restraint bar
• Random “Bar Down” rewards given at unloading ramps by Ski Patrol
• Overall encouragement of people using the bar properly while riding chair lifts

TAHOE DONNER FOCUSES ON PROMOTING A SAFE CHAIRLIFT CULTURE

At Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort, we are leading the charge in this shift to a safer chairlift experience. “We are working on changing the culture to use the restraint bar, just like helmets
became the new normal in the past decade,” explained Rob McClendon, Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort Manager. “Our staff is continually encouraging and educating guests in chairlift safety. It is a priority to have chairlift safety be visible and interactive with our skiing and riding community.”

WHY CHAIRLIFT SAFETY MATTERS

Conditions can vary wildly when you’re on the ski hill. Being consistent in your safety practices ensures your well-being every time you ski or ride. Making it a habit to lower the restraint bar, every time, is just good habit. Sometimes the winds are ripping and it becomes extremely important to use the restraint bar. If you are in the habit of using it all the time, using it in extreme  conditions comes naturally.

Most importantly, adults on the ski hill have a responsibility to be great examples to all kids that are out enjoying the snow, not just our own. Little kids learn habits and look up to all adults skiing and riding the mountain. Be a good example and use the lift safely, put the restraint bar down, wear a helmet and exhibit the Responsibility Code.

HOW PARENTS CAN HELP

Parents are the front line and are expected to exhibit behavior that elicits safety knowledge for our youngest skiers and riders. Here’s how you can lead the charge to create a new generation of safe mountain adventurers:

• Talk to your kids about safety
• Teach them the Responsibility Code. It is printed on our trail maps
• Lead by example! Lower the restraint bar every time you ridea chairlift
• Put them in lessons so they learn from the pros!
• Watch safety videos with them. They are available on our website and playing downstairs in the Downhill Ski Lodge

For more information and videos, visit skicalifornia.org, kidsonlifts.org and tahoedonner.com/safety-videos. changing the culture to use the restraint bar, just like helmets
became the new normal in the past decade,” explained Rob McClendon, Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort Manager. “Our staff is continually encouraging and educating guests in chairlift safety. It is a priority to have chairlift safety be visible and interactive with our skiing and riding community.”