Your safety is our top priority. Learn about our comprehensive safety guidelines, protocols, and resources to ensure an enjoyable and secure experience on the slopes.
At the UMD Ski Club, we are deeply committed to ensuring that all members enjoy a safe and positive experience during our events and trips. Safety is a core value embedded in every activity we organize.
Our safety protocols are designed with input from experienced skiers, snowboarders, and mountain safety professionals. We regularly review and update these protocols to incorporate the latest safety practices in winter sports.
We believe that safety and fun go hand in hand. By maintaining a strong focus on safety awareness, we create an environment where everyone can fully enjoy the thrill of snow sports with peace of mind.
While this is a recreational club, please understand that skiing and snowboarding are physically demanding activities that require strength, endurance, and flexibility. Proper physical preparation can significantly reduce your risk of injury and enhance your enjoyment on the slopes.
We recommend physically being in shape. Regular cardio exercises like running, cycling, or swimming can significantly help.
Having the right equipment is essential for a safe experience on the mountain. Whether you're renting or bringing your own gear, make sure everything is properly fitted and in good condition.
Always thoroughly inspect rental equipment before accepting it. If you own your gear, have it professionally inspected and tuned before your first trip of the season.
One of the most important aspects of snow sports safety is knowing and respecting your skill level. Pushing beyond your abilities too quickly is a common cause of injuries.
Beginner: Little to no experience, comfortable on gentle slopes (green circles).
Intermediate: Can link turns on moderate slopes (blue squares), has experience with speed control.
Advanced: Confidently navigates steep terrain (black diamonds) with controlled technique.
Expert: Skilled on all terrain including off-piste, moguls, and extreme slopes (double black diamonds).
All UMD Ski Club members are expected to know and follow the national Alpine Responsibility Code, which is recognized at all ski resorts:
Failure to follow the Alpine Responsibility Code may result in loss of skiing/snowboarding privileges or even legal consequences in case of accidents.
Mountain weather can change rapidly, and conditions can vary significantly across different parts of a resort. Staying aware of your environment is crucial for safety.
If you venture into off-piste or backcountry areas (which we generally don't include in our regular trips), additional risks include avalanches, unmarked obstacles, and limited rescue access. Never go off-piste alone or without proper equipment and training.
Developing good habits and techniques will significantly reduce your risk of injury while enhancing your skiing or snowboarding experience.
Most accidents happen during the last run of the day when skiers and riders are tired. Consider ending your day before exhaustion sets in, and never push yourself to do "just one more run" if you're feeling depleted.
Despite our best prevention efforts, accidents can happen. Knowing how to respond appropriately can make a critical difference in outcomes.
All UMD Ski Club members should have the trip leader's phone number saved in their phones. Trip leaders will have contact information for all participants and emergency services.
Certain medical situations require specific responses. Here are guidelines for some common ski-related emergencies:
Signs: Shivering, confusion, fatigue, slurred speech, shallow breathing
Response: Move to a warm place, remove wet clothing, apply warm (not hot) blankets, seek medical assistance
Signs: Numbness, waxy or grayish-yellow skin, blisters
Response: Move to a warm place, do NOT rub affected areas, gently warm with body heat, seek medical assistance
Signs: Headache, dizziness, confusion, memory loss, nausea, balance problems
Response: Stop activity immediately, do not leave the person alone, seek medical evaluation promptly
Signs: Pain, swelling, inability to bear weight, visible deformity (in case of fractures)
Response: Immobilize the area, apply cold packs, elevate if possible, seek medical assistance
If you have any pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart conditions), please inform the trip leaders before departure and ensure you have all necessary medications with you.
Getting separated from your group in an unfamiliar resort can be stressful. We've established clear protocols to handle these situations:
We recommend saving the entire group's contact information before the trip begins. However, be aware that cell service can be unreliable at some mountain locations.
We welcome beginners to all our trips and have special safety considerations to ensure your first experiences are positive and safe:
Don't be discouraged if progress seems slow at first. Skiing and snowboarding have steep learning curves, and most people experience significant improvement after their first full day on the slopes.
As outdoor enthusiasts, we have a responsibility to protect the natural environments where we recreate:
Our use of group transportation not only reduces costs but also significantly decreases our carbon footprint compared to individual travel to resorts.
Safety doesn't begin and end on the slopes. Safe transportation to and from the mountains is equally important:
To ensure safe return trips, we have a strict departure policy. The bus will leave at the designated time. All members must be present at the meeting point 15 minutes before departure. The bus cannot wait for late arrivals.
The UMD Ski Club offers several resources to help members prepare for safe mountain experiences:
Check our calendar for upcoming safety workshops and training sessions. Most are free for club members.
Before every trip, trip leaders conduct a mandatory safety briefing that includes:
The UMD Ski Club strongly encourages all members to wear helmets while skiing or snowboarding. Helmets significantly reduce the risk of head injuries, which can be particularly severe in snow sports.
Our buddy system ensures that no member is ever skiing or riding alone:
To ensure the safety of all members, the UMD Ski Club has strict policies regarding alcohol and substances:
We recommend these additional resources for snow sports safety information:
We recommend that members consider taking a basic first aid or wilderness first aid course. The UMD Health Center occasionally offers these courses at discounted rates for students.
While not required, we strongly recommend that all members have health insurance coverage. UMD students are typically covered by the university health insurance or their family's insurance plan. Be aware that some policies may have limitations for "high-risk" activities, so it's worth checking your specific coverage.
If you're injured, our trip leaders will help coordinate with resort ski patrol for immediate medical attention. For serious injuries requiring hospital transport, a club representative will accompany you if possible. We'll also help notify emergency contacts if needed. All medical expenses are the responsibility of the individual member.
While helmets are not technically mandatory, they are very strongly encouraged. Statistics consistently show that helmets significantly reduce the risk of head injuries in skiing and snowboarding accidents. The club has arranged for discounted helmet rentals at most resorts we visit.
We welcome beginners! If you've never skied or snowboarded before, we recommend taking a lesson with the resort's professional instructors. These can be arranged when you register for the trip. We'll pair you with other beginners and provide additional supervision from experienced members to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable first experience.
Trip leaders monitor weather forecasts continuously before and during trips. If conditions are deemed unsafe for travel, trips may be postponed or canceled with as much advance notice as possible. If conditions deteriorate during a trip, we may modify the schedule or activities for safety. In extreme cases, we may need to leave a resort early or delay our return to campus.
Yes, wrist injuries are among the most common for snowboarders. While not required, wrist guards can significantly reduce the risk of fractures and sprains, especially for beginners who fall frequently. These can be purchased at most sporting goods stores or sometimes rented at resorts.
At UMD Ski Club, we believe that the safest trips are also the most enjoyable. Join our community of responsible snow sports enthusiasts and experience the thrill of the mountains with peace of mind.
