Know Before You Go

Weather

• Plan ahead for variations in weather. Dress appropriately, and have properly tuned gear. Warmth and visibility are key safety components.
• UV rays are reflected from the snow surface. Always wear sunscreen, and goggles or sunglasses, even on cloudy days.
• Cold temperatures increase the likelihood of frostbite. Dress warm, bring extra layers and keep an eye on exposed skin. Go inside immediately if skin begins to turn white.
• Take note of the conditions. When the snow surface is hard and fast, it is easy to ski/ ride at high speed, increasing the risk for serious injury if you fall and slide. Be aware of changing snow surface conditions.

Keep hydrated and carry a snack with you to keep you fuelled.

Ski with a buddy

• Identify meeting points with your group in case you become separated. All group members should know where to meet should separation occur.
• Carry a whistle and be particularly cautious when skiing/riding in the trees. Tree wells are a real risk.

Helmets

• It is highly recommended to wear a helmet while skiing and riding. Skiers and snowboarders are encouraged to educate themselves on the benefits and limitations of helmet usage. See more on snow sports helmets.

Don’t overdo it

• Be aware of fatigue, many visitors are on vacation and might not be conditioned to ski/ board long days. Warm up in the morning and stretch it out, then tone it down in the afternoon.

Snowcats and snowmobiles may be encountered during operating hours. Give these vehicles plenty of space.

Be aware of your surroundings

• Be mindful of where you stop on the hill, for your safety and the safety of other skiers and snowboarders. When resting, move over to the side of the run. Never stop under a roller, jump, cat track, or on a blind corner, as uphill skiers will not be able to see you.
• Always be aware of other skiers and snowboarders. Look uphill before you commence downhill, and yield to other skiers and snowboarders.

Children in Backpacks, carriers and sleds

You may not ski/ride/walk on a designated ski run at Mount Sima while carrying a child on your person, in a backpack, in a carrier or in a toboggan/sled of any kind.
Small children and babies in backpacks and carriers are not allowed on the chairlift, bunny hill handle tow or designated ski runs.

All children riding the chairlift and skiing/riding on a designated ski run must be wearing skis or a snowboard and must be capable of making their way down the mountain under their own power. Children may be skiing between their parents’ skis or may be on a leash but skis/boards must be on the snow.

Children in backpacks and carriers and in sleds are welcome on the mountain in the base area. Child care providers are reminded that there are always risks associated with skiers/riders coming into the base area from the bunny hill and other designated runs and care should be taken to remain within the slow/low traffic area. 

At no time shall a child be towed behind another skier/rider in a toboggan or sled on a designated ski run. 

Exceptions: The only exception to the carrying of a child in a backpack on a designated ski run is during Wednesday night uphill nights. The child may be carried up the designated uphill track on the “lookers” right of Haileys in a backpack, only if they have boots/skis/boards to make their way down the mountain under their own power. 

Children on leashes and harnesses

Children may be on leashes and harnesses on designated ski runs but may not be on a leash in terrain parks. At Mount Sima, this includes the banked slalom on Pokeys, Pokey Park, Upper and Lower Park (Coyote), Border Cross, the Base Park and Big Air. Accompanying adults are reminded that green runs are the most sensible place to teach children on leashes to ski. Blue and Black Diamond runs tend to attract faster and more aggressive skiers, increasing the chances of a collision.  

Prior to getting on the chairlift the leashes shall be unclipped or safely tucked away so that there is no danger of them being caught on the chairlift during loading or unloading.