Always stay in control. People ahead of you have the right of way. Stop in a safe place for you and others. Whenever starting downhill or merging, look uphill and yield. Use devices to help prevent runaway equipment. Observe signs and warnings, and keep off closed trails. Know how to use the lifts safely.

It is important to obey signs designating slow zones and intersecting areas, according to experts. All skiers and snowboarders should learn to share the slopes and always show respect for others.

According to Jasper Shealy, professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, N.Y., who has studied ski related injuries for more than 30 years, the number of collision accidents with other skiers or snowboarders accounts for only 6.4% of reported accidents. Shealy’s research also confirmed that alpine
skiers are three times more likely to be involved in a collision with other people than snowboarders.

Helmet use in the U.S. has been increasing for the past several seasons, according to the NSAA. Last season, 48% of all skiers and riders were wearing a helmet at the time of being interviewed, up from 43% during the 2007/08 season. Research also shows that 77% of children 9 years old or younger wear ski helmets; 66% of children between 10 and 14 wear ski helmets; and 63% of adults over the age of 65 wear ski helmets. Helmet use by skiers and boarders age18 to 24 is currently 32%, representing a 78% increase in usage for this age group since the 2002/03 season, when only 18% wore helmets.

Skiers at NSAA member resorts (currently 327 alpine resorts in the U.S.) are given several opportunities to learn how to ski safely. All ski areas endorse and are asked to display the “Your Responsibility Code,” which urges skiers and snowboarders to ski and ride within their ability; to watch for skiers downhill; to look uphill before entering a trail; to move to the side of the trail when stopping; use devices to help prevent runaway equipment; observe all posted signs and warnings; have the ability to load and unload lifts, and to practice courteous ski habits Those who break the code are routinely stripped of their passes by ski patrollers.

Ski areas have undertaken several programs to increase ski safety. Those programs range from establishing family ski areas to increasing the number of monitors on the slopes. Alpine and snowboarding lessons are offered and encouraged at ski areas.

The NSAA urges snowboarders to know their limits and ability level and select the appropriate freestyle terrain for them.

Their condition, speed, balance, body movements, alignment, trajectory and maneuver difficulty will directly affect a snowboarder’s desired outcome.

Know the intended use of the freestyle terrain you have chosen. For example, some features are intended to be used in a series with no stopping, while some are intended to be used individually with stopping areas; jump takeoffs are for jumping and rail takeoffs are for entering onto rails.

Your actions can take you out of balance and cause serious injury or death, no matter how the feature is designed or where you land.

Transitions are changes in the shape and pitch of the snow or feature, or changes from one type of sliding surface to another. Transitions can be gentle or abrupt, and demand that users be alert and respond to them with accurate movements.

Know where to land. The sweet spot is between the “knuckle” and center of the landing zone. Even if you land on or near the sweet spot, you can still be seriously injured or die if your landing posture is not correct. Inverted maneuvers are not recommended.

Be aware that features change constantly due to snow conditions, weather, usage, grooming and time of day. Read and obey all posted signs, instructions and warnings before using a freestyle terrain.

Some resorts designate features as small, medium and large. Be aware these ratings are determined by size, not degree of difficulty, and are relative only to that resort.

Following the rules and being to courteous to fellow skiers/snowboarders can help make a day on the slopes a memorable one, not a painful one.