Via telluridenews.com
By Mia Rupani, Staff Writer
Rider safety is a top priority at Telluride Ski Resort
Trail Safety team educates more than 75,000 riders per season
A member of Telluride Ski Resort’s Trail Safety team cordoning off a section of the mountain. The Trail Safety team consists of 35 members who monitor the mountain every day to identify recklessness and any potential hazards. (Photo by Jason Hatfield)
You might have seen them on the mountain, wearing bright orange jackets emblazoned with “Trail Safety,” positioned at slope intersections waving down speeding skiers.
They are members of Telluride Ski Resort’s (Telski) Trail Safety team, and they’re committed to creating a safer mountain experience for everyone, regardless of age or experience.
According to the National Ski Areas Association, there are an average of 44 serious injuries per year related to skiing and snowboarding, including paralysis and serious head injury.
Trent Phillips was recently appointed as the director of Trail Safety for Telski. He describes himself as being passionate about ensuring that all skiers and snowboarders have an enjoyable and safe time while on the mountain.
“This initiative started long before me, and it is something that all resorts have,” he told the Daily Planet on Tuesday. “It’s usually considered part of ski patrol, but (Telski principal owner) Chuck (Horning) split it out where it’s its own department because he feels so strongly about it.”
Phillips oversees the Trail Safety program and its initiatives, which include the new “Sunday Safety Tips” video series published weekly on the mountain’s social media. The videos cover topics such as reckless skiing, closed terrain, navigating chicanes, slow zones and more.
“It (the video campaign) targets any and every skier throughout Telluride, as well as other communities,” Phillips said. “Skiing is inherently a dangerous sport, and we all know that. We can’t prevent every accident, but we can have a presence on the mountain to remind folks to slow down.”
Horning said Phillips’ background in the insurance industry gives him a “unique understanding” of the importance of reducing reckless activity.
“Safety is our top priority at Telski, so Trent will be focused on educating and communicating with our skiers,” Horning said in a statement.
The Trail Safety team consists of 35 members who monitor the mountain every day to identify recklessness and any potential hazards. Phillips said on any given day, there are 14 Trail Safety members on the mountain, starting in the morning before the resort opens.
“We go out every morning and place signage,” he said. “We also strategically place ourselves throughout the mountain in spots where collisions might occur and where speed might be overexerted.”
If an accident does happen, they’re on hand to assist ski patrol and help with traffic mitigation. If one of the team members spots someone who is being unsafe, they will pull them aside for an educational chat. They also ride the lifts about 15 times per day, striking up conversations with riders.
“We take it (skier safety) seriously because it can be deadly,” Phillips said. “If you’re in an area that’s roped off, you’re not only putting yourself at danger, but others. There’s a reason we have speed limits when driving a car, and slow zones on the mountain are there to protect others.”
Phillips said it’s important for people to understand that the Trail Safety team is not there to penalize them.
“We are not out there to pull passes,” he said. “We’re not there to be party poopers. We are there to make sure the mountain is safe and enjoyable to all kinds of riders, from experts to beginners.”
Phillips estimates that the team spreads the safety message to roughly 630 riders per day, totaling more than 75,000 riders in a single season.
“Reducing accidents on the mountain is a collaborative effort,” he added. “We can’t be everywhere at once, so we urge guests and locals to play an active role in maintaining safety by reporting reckless behavior to the safety hotline at 970-728-7569.”
The “Sunday Safety Tips” videos can be viewed online at Telluride Ski Resort’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
The Trail Safety team at Telluride Ski Resort is leading the way in creating a safer, more enjoyable mountain environment. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or a beginner, remember that safety starts with you. Explore more about living in Telluride and the vibrant community initiatives like this by connecting with Anne-Britt Ostlund at Mountain Rose Realty. Together, we can make every ride a safer one!
