Mountain Safety

Scenic View of a Mountain Top at Stevens Pass

Our Commitment To Safety

Stevens Pass is committed to promoting the safe use of our mountain. Please ski/snowboard in control and within the area boundary. Our Staff will remove riding privileges if, in their professional opinion, a person’s actions jeopardize their safety or the safety of others. Repeated or egregiously unsafe acts will lead the permanent removal of riding privileges.

Skiing/snowboarding involves risks, which may lead to serious injury or death. Watch out for man-made and natural obstacles, changing conditions, and other skiers/snowboarders.

The Stevens Pass Professional Patrol is on duty during operating hours for your assistance. Patrollers are stationed atop the 7th Heaven and Double Diamond lifts and at the Patrol Aid Room in the Granite Peaks Lodge. During night operations, patrollers are stationed atop Skyline, Hogsback, Tye Mill and Kehr's Chair. Please don't hesitate to ask for assistance or information.

Your responsibility code

Know The Code. It's Your Responsibility

Skiing can be enjoyed in many ways. At ski areas you may see people using alpine, snowboard, telemark, cross country or other specialized ski equipment, such as that used by disabled or other skiers. Regardless of how you decide to enjoy the slopes, always show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Observe the code listed below and share with other skiers the responsibility for a great skiing experience.

1. Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
2. People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
3. Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
4. Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.
5. You must prevent runaway equipment.
6. Read and obey all signs, warnings, and hazard markings.
7. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
8. You must know how and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
9. Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
10. If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.

Winter sports involve risk of serious injury or death. Your knowledge, decisions and actions contribute to your safety and that of others. If you need help understanding the Code, please ask any ski area employee.

 

 

Safety Information

Chairlift at Stevens Pass

To Report An Accident

  • Crossed skies means someone needs assistance.
  • If you are injured have someone cross his or her skis above you or lay their snowboard above you. This makes it easier for ski patrol to find you and makes others on the hill aware that you are there. 
  • Send someone to the nearest Lift Operator, Patroller, or other Stevens Pass employee and give them exact location, noting trail name, tower number, skiers right or left of run, etc. 
  • Mark the site by placing skis in an "X" or snowboard vertically above the injured person.

Trail designations:

Stevens Pass trail difficulty is based on the degree of difficulty for our area. We recommend starting your day on the easiest trails and progressing up to your ability level to help avoid injuries.

We have:

  • 11% easiest terrain
  • 54% more difficult terrain
  • 35% advanced terrain

Slow Zones

Slow zones are marked on the trail map. These areas are our beginner areas and congested areas. Please slow down through these areas. Please report violators to the Ski Patrol. Clothing descriptions are helpful. Violators will lose their ticket or pass.

Closed Areas

An area may be closed for safety considerations or avalanche danger. Violating a closure will result in loss of ticket or pass on initial contact. Responsibility Code #6 - RCW 79A.45.070

Your Lift Privileges May Be Revoked for:

  • Reckless skiing/snowboarding defined as jumping into runs or blind areas, inverted aerials, riding too fast in a SLOW zone or congested area, or riding out of control.
  • Swinging, bouncing, jumping or throwing objects from the chair.
  • Disorderly conduct, loud or abusive language, drunkenness, use of illegal drugs.
  • Riding in CLOSED AREAS.
  • Ducking ropes.
  • Removing or moving hill signs, bamboo, or ropes.

Out of Ski Area

The backcountry area outside of the Stevens Pass Ski Area boundaries is public land. However you must be aware of the potential for serious injury and costly rescue operations. However, you must be aware of the potential for serious injury and costly rescue operations. There is no avalanche control or patrol beyond the area boundary. Rescue from these areas is not guaranteed and if available, may be slow and costly. There may be times when hiking routes in the Ski area boundaries are closed due to avalanche danger or other safety concerns. Therefore, we recommend skiers/snowboarders stay within the resort boundaries for their own safety as well as the safety of others who may follow their tracks.

On Snow Vehicles

You may encounter vehicles such as snow groomers and snow mobiles anywhere on the mountain. Be on the lookout for warning sounds and lights to alert you to their presence. Yield to moving and avoid parked vehicles at all times.

Risk of Avalanche

While snow safety and avalanche mitigation efforts help reduce the risk of avalanches, avalanches and snow slides may occur at winter resorts both inside and outside the resort boundary. Avalanches are an inherent risk of the sport due to the nature of snow and its application on steep, mountainous terrain. Become educated on how to reduce the risk of avalanches through your actions and awareness.

Taking these steps may help reduce the risk of being injured or killed in an avalanche:

  • Always ski/snowboard with a partner and keep them in sight at all times.
  • Obey all signs and closures.
  • Know the avalanche danger by visiting: https://www.nwac.us/avalanche-forecast/current/cascade-west-stevens-pass/
  • Carry avalanche equipment such as transceivers, RECCO reflectors, probes and shovels when skiing/snowboarding in areas where avalanches may occur.
  • Wear a helmet.
  • Visit www.avalanche.org or contact the Stevens Pass Pro Patrol for further information on the risks and prevention of avalanche-related injuries and deaths.
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Tree Well & Deep Snow Accident Prevention
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A tree well or snow immersion suffocation accident can happen when a skier or snowboarder falls – usually headfirst – into a tree well or deep loose snow and becomes immobilized and trapped under the snow and suffocates.
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Uphill Traffic Policy

Hotline: In order to travel uphill within the ski area boundary, please call our uphill hotline (206-812-7847) for current restrictions and check the yellow light on the clock tower. If the light is flashing, we are closed to uphill traffic

  • A yellow flashing light indicates that uphill traffic is not allowed. This light is located on the clock tower in the central plaza, in between the Granite Peaks Lodge and Pacific Crest Lodge.
  • Due to safety concerns, and in accordance with our Area Operating Plan approved by the Forest Service, Stevens Pass reserves the right to limit uphill traffic within the resort boundary at any time.
  • The alpine resort is closed to uphill traffic during periods of avalanche control, which typically occurs early morning, but may occur any time throughout the day.
  • The alpine resort is closed to uphill traffic any time there is an active winch cat operating anywhere in the resort.
  • Anyone seeking to travel uphill is required to call the trails hotline (206-812-7847) for current updates on potential restrictions. Traffic volume, special events, avalanche hazards, and other on mountain activities will be considered when restricting uphill travel.
  • Pets are not allowed on mountain at Stevens Pass. We cannot allow pets at any time, which includes during uphill access and normal operating hours. This allows for increased safety, especially outside of normal resort operating hours when snowmobiles and snowcats are present to prepare and maintain the mountain. While this restriction on pets has been in place at some resorts and is a new policy in others, has been put in place across our company to protect all employees and guests, including the pets themselves.
  • No emergency services outside of "normal" operating hours.
  • Uphill activities may present a high danger of personal injury.
  • User assumes risks & acknowledges that runs are not maintained for uphill access.
  • Motorized vehicles, snowmaking & other ski area operations may be encountered.
  • Stay towards the side of the trail.
  • Position yourself so that you are visible from above.
  • Wear brightly colored cloths.
  • Obey all pertinent signage.
  • Avoid all areas where machinery is operating.
  • Foot traffic is not permitted at any time within the permit boundary, including the Nordic Center, outside of designated walking areas. On-slope events may have designated walking areas. See Patrol for details.
  • Snowshoeing is not allowed at Stevens Pass Mountain Resort, but is encouraged at the Stevens Pass Nordic Center. All Nordic Center policies apply.
  • The Stevens Pass Nordic Center, located five miles east of the summit, accommodates uphill traffic by design for skinning, cross‐country and snowshoes on appropriately designated trails. A trail pass from Stevens Pass is required to use the Nordic Center trail system.

Additional Information:

  • Snowshoeing within the Nordic Center is restricted to designated snowshoe trails.
  • For a backcountry experience, the Lanham Lake trail is accessible from the Nordic Center parking lot. There is no snow control, Patrol, or trail maintenance provided by Stevens Pass in this area.
  • Users are advised to be prepared for winter travel in avalanche terrain. No Stevens Pass trail pass is required for this trail.
  • Areas adjacent to the Resort boundary, including the Nordic Center, receive no snow control, Patrol, or trail maintenance from Stevens Pass, and use is at one’s own risk. This includes out of bounds areas accessible from within the Resort boundary.
  • The US Forest Service provides guided snowshoe tours to the public during the season. Contact the Skykomish Ranger District for more information.
  • All lift conveyances require a valid daily lift ticket or season pass to ride. Uphill traveling skiers/boarders cannot ride a chairlift without a valid ticket or pass.
  • Snowshoers are not permitted on the lifts.
  • Special events may be granted exceptions to this policy upon consideration by Stevens Pass.
  • Please direct any questions regarding this policy to Ski Patrol.