Trail Designations & Responsibility Code

Trail map

Understanding Trail Designations

Three Rivers Park District promotes responsible ski-area behavior. Know your ability and make yourself familiar with ski-area trail markings. All of the trails at Hyland Ski & Snowboard Area are designated with a trail system used at ski areas throughout North America (and much of the world). The ski area uses the familiar green circles, blue squares and black diamonds to indicate difficulty. Nordic trail systems often use these symbols too.

	Easiest Trails
	Trails that are more difficult
	Trails that are the most difficult
	Freestyle Terrain - freestyle terrain may include half-pipes, as well as terrain parks and terrain features

Other things to know about the trail marking system:
Each resort ranks its own trails based on the difficulty of that particular area. The system is a relative system that is valid only at this ski area. Skiers and riders should work their way up, beginning with the easiest trails no matter what their ability level may be, until they are familiar with the trails at the area.

At many resorts, you'll find that approximately 25 percent of the trails are designated green, 50 percent are blue, and 25 percent are black. But if a particular mountain is steep all over, the green-circle trails will be a huge challenge for novices. They are the easiest trails at that resort, but they may be too tough for someone who is just beginning. Trail maps are available at the ski area, online and posted in the main chalet. Contact the Ski School for more information.

Freestyle Terrain

Freestyle terrain areas are designated with an orange oval and may contain jumps, hits, ramps, banks, fun boxes, jibs, rails, half pipes, quarter pipes, snowcross, bump terrain and other constructed or natural terrain features. They are provided for your enjoyment and offer adventure, challenge and fun. However, freestyle terrain use, like all skiing and riding, exposes you to the risk of serious injury or death. You assume the risk. Prior to using freestyle terrain, it is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with all instructions, warnings signs and to follow Your Responsibility Code.

Things to Know

• Trail ratings do not apply to freestyle terrain
• Terrain features are not rated as to degree of difficulty
• You are the sole judge of your ability to use freestyle terrain – work your way up.
• Know your limits and ability level and select the appropriate Freestyle Terrain for you.
• Your condition, speed, balance, body movements, alignment, trajectory and maneuver difficulty will DIRECTLY AFFECT YOUR 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 and some 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. Land on your feet!
• 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.
• BE AWARE that features change constantly due to snow conditions, weather, usage, grooming and time of day.
• Inverted aerials are prohibited.

Freestyle Terrain has designations for size. Start small and work your way up. Designations are relative to this ski area. Freestyle terrain at this area may not contain all size designations. Read and obey all posted signs, instructions and warnings before using Freestyle Terrain.

Smart Style

Make a Plan

• Every time you use Freestyle Terrain, make a plan for each feature you want to use.
• Your speed, approach and takeoff will directly affect your maneuver and landing.

Look Before You Leap

• Before getting into freestyle terrain observe all signage and warnings
• Scope around the jumps first not over them
• Use your first run as a warm up run and to familiarize yourself with the terrain
• Be aware that the features change constantly due to weather, usage, grooming and time of day
• Do not jump blindly and use a spotter when necessary

Easy Style It

• Know your limits and ski/ride within your ability level
• Look for small progression parks or features to begin with and work your way up
• Freestyle skills require maintaining control on the ground and in the air
• Do not attempt any features unless you have sufficient ability and experience to do so safely
• Inverted aerials increase your risk of injury and are not recommended

Respect Gets Respect

• Respect the terrain and others
• One person on a feature at a time
• Wait your turn and call your start
• Always clear the landing area quickly
• Respect all signs and stay off closed terrain and features

ATML™ Method           

Each feature can be broken down into 4 zones. Identify these zones and have a plan before using any Freestyle Terrain.

Approach zone is the space for setting your speed and stance to use the feature.
Takeoff zone is for making moves that start your trick.
Maneuver zone is for controlling your body in the air and setting up for landing.
Landing zone is the prepared slope between the “knuckle” or the top of the landing zone and the runout beyond it.

For more information on Freestyle Terrain please visit www.TerrainParkSafety.org.

Lift Safety
Be advised that you cannot board a lift unless you have sufficient physical dexterity, ability and knowledge to negotiate or to use such lift safely, or until you have asked for and received information sufficient to enable you to load, ride and unload the lift safely. You may not use a lift or any ski trail when under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Marking Devices
Be advised that all poles and/or flags, fencing, signage and padding on equipment or objects or other forms of marking devices are used by the ski area to inform you of the presence or location of a potential obstacle or hazard. These markers are no guarantee of your safety and will not protect you from injury. It is part of your responsibility under Your Responsibility Code to avoid all obstacles or hazards, including those that are so marked.

Caution
Snowmaking equipment snowmobiles, grooming and maintenance vehicles may be encountered at anytime.

Fast and aggressive skiing and riding will not be tolerated.

Helmet Use
Helmets are a smart idea. Three Rivers Park District encourages you to educate yourself on the benefits and limitations of helmets. If you choose to wear one, please ski or ride as if you are not wearing one. Every winter sport participant shares responsibility for his or her safety and for that of others using the ski area facilities. For more information on helmets check out Lids On Kids.

Your Responsibility Code

“Your Responsibility Code” is a compilation of slope safety rules used universally at U.S. resorts. Please review “Your Responsibility Code” and share the information with your friends and children.

Three Rivers Park District is committed to promoting slope safety. In addition to those using traditional alpine ski equipment, others on the slopes include snowboarders, telemark skiers or cross-country skiers, skiers with disabilities, skiers with specialized equipment and others. Always show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing and snowboarding that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Know your ability level and stay within it. Observe Your Responsibility Code listed below and share with others on the slopes the responsibility for a great snowsports experience.

• Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
• People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
• You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above.
• Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
• Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
• Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
• Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.

KNOW THE CODE. IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
This is a partial list. Be safety conscious.

Officially endorsed by: NATIONAL SKI AREAS ASSOCIATION

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