Mountain Safety & Policies

We fully expect the 2022-2023 skiing and snowboarding season at Canaan Resort to be as thrilling as ever. Enjoying skiing and tubing while assisting us in keeping everyone safe on the mountain is everyone’s responsibility. By visiting Canaan Resort you are entering a high mountain environment. This means you may slip, fall, and experience rugged conditions such as snow, ice, water, rocks, branches, grass, trees, and uneven terrain. Sturdy footwear is recommended. This is an active ski resort, please be alert of your surroundings. By entering this area, you are aware of the mountain conditions and are entering at your own risk.

Canaan Resort will be continuing the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) “Ski Well. Be Well.” COVID-19 safety operating procedures for this ski season. For more information about the NSAA’s new policies, we encourage you to visit www.nsaa.org/skiwellbewell.

SKI ON DESIGNATED TRAILS ONLY!

Expect The Unexpected

  • Snowcats, snow machines, and snowmaking may be encountered at any time.
  • While skiing/riding, you may encounter rocks, trees, changing visibility and snow conditions.
  • Slow Zones: Certain areas are designated as SLOW ZONES. Please observe the posted slow areas by maintaining a speed no faster than the general flow of traffic. Space and speed are especially important in these areas. Fast and aggressive skiing will not be tolerated.

Caution

  • Snowcats, snowmachines, and snowmaking may be encountered at any time.
  • Slow Zones: Certain areas are designated as SLOW ZONES. Please observe the posted slow areas by maintaining a speed no faster than the general flow of traffic. Space and speed are especially important in these areas. Fast and aggressive skiing will not be tolerated.

To Report an Accident

  • Place crossed skis in snow above injured skier to form an "X" pattern.
  • Alert ski patrol by contacting the nearest lift attendant or by notifying any mountain employee.
  • STAY ON THE SCENE, until the ski patrol arrives; provide your name and address to ski patrol.

Ski Patrol / First Aid

Our ski patrol is staffed by professionals who want to help you. Stop by the ski patrol station (PHQ Patrol Headquarters) at the top of the mountain, the information desk at the Resort Center, The Bear Paw, or First Aid Room at the base of B lift.

Be Aware. Ski & Ride With Care!

  • We encourage skiers and riders to wear a helmet - but to ski or ride as if they are not wearing a helmet. Skiing and snowboarding in a controlled and responsible manner - not helmets only - is a primary safety consideration for all skiers and boarders. A skier's behavior has as much to do with the safety of the sport as does any piece of equipment.

Freestyle Terrain: Smart Style - LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP

  • You are responsible for inspecting Freestyle Terrain before initial use and throughout the day. The features vary in size and change constantly due to snow conditions, weather, usage, grooming and time of day. Do not jump blindly. Use a spotter.

Respect Gets Respect

Be considerate to fellow skiers and riders. Fast riding and destructive behavior will not be tolerated at Canaan Valley Resort. Respect Freestyle Terrain and others using the features. Only one person on a feature at a time. Wait for your turn and call your start. Always clear the landing area quickly. Respect all signs and do not enter the terrain park or use features when closed.

Kids, Parents, Friends, & Family

  • If your children don't have an ID, give them your business card or a luggage tag with information about where you are staying or how to reach you, i.e.; cell phone number.
  • If you become separated from your group, alert a Canaan Resort Employee to assist you in reuniting with your group.
  • Make a plan to meet your party! The Ticket window at the Resort Center or The Bear Paw Food Court: Make sure that everyone in your party knows of these locations. If all else fails and you can't find your friends or family, plan to meet them there.

Sledding

Please note: There is NO SLEDDING at Canaan Valley Resort.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH CANAAN VALLEY RESORT RULES WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF PASS PRIVILEGES AND OR FORFEITING YOUR PASS FOR THE DAY

The National Ski Areas Association established the "Your Responsibility Code" in 1966 as a code of ethics for all skiers on the mountain. Today, the code reflects not only skier safety but snowboarder and lift safety as well. Ultimately, safe skiing and snowboarding on the mountain is each person's responsibility. The following Responsibility Code helps all skiers and snowboarders have a safer experience.

Your Responsibility Code

  • Safety on the slopes is everyone's responsibility. Ski safely - not only for yourself but for others as well.
  • Always stay in control and be able to stop or avoid objects.
  • People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
  • Do not stop where you obstruct the trail or are not visible from above.
  • Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, yield to others.
  • Always use retention 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 know how to load, ride, and unload safely.
  • Headphones are not to worn while riding the lift or skiing.
  • Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
  • If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.

West Virginia Skiing Responsibility Act

The West Virginia Legislature has recognized that there are inherent risks to skiing in its various forms, including snowboarding, snowtubing and other forms of snow riding ("Recreational Snow Sports”). Under the West Virginia Skiing Responsibility Act, Canaan Valley Resorts patrons ("Patrons") accept the fact that Recreational Snow Sports have inherent risks and can be HAZARDOUS. Patrons are therefore responsible for any injury, loss or damage to any person or property resulting from the inherent risks of Recreational Snow Sports at Canaan Valley Resorts. Patrons are also responsible for reading and complying with all signs, instructions, posted information and other warnings. Regency Hotels and Canaan Valley Resorts, their owners, members, directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, and insurers (collectively, the “released parties”) are not responsible or liable for any injury or harm to any Patrons, including minor Patrons, caused by inherent risks. Trail conditions may vary across the mountain with weather conditions and Patron use. The West Virginia Skiing Responsibility Act requires you to know the range of your ability to negotiate any slope or trail, ski within the limits of your own ability, maintain reasonable control of your speed and of the course at all times, heed all posted warnings, ski only in areas designated by Canaan Valley Resort, refrain from acting in a manner which may cause or contribute to the injury of anyone (including yourself), maintain a proper lookout so as to avoid other Patrons and objects, and act in a manner to avoid obstacles and hazards which may cause injury, loss or damage including, but not limited to: variations in terrain including freestyle terrain, icy terrain, surface or subsurface snow or ice conditions, bare spots, rocks, stumps, trees, moguls, other forms of forest growth or debris, collisions with other skiers, natural and manmade objects, pole lines, lift towers or any component thereof and/or collisions with marked snowmaking equipment. Be aware that snowmaking and snow grooming may be in progress at any time and avoid any such equipment. The West Virginia Skiing Responsibility Act also prohibits you from placing any object in the skiing area or on the uphill track or lift which may cause a passenger or other Patron to fall, crossing the track of any lift or rope tow except at a designated location, failing to wear retention straps or other devices to help prevent runaway equipment, skiing on a slope or trail that has been posted as "Closed," using any slope while your ability to do so is impaired by the consumption of alcohol, the use of any controlled substance or other drug or while you are under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance or other drug. Before beginning to ski from a stationary position or before entering a slope or trail from the side, Patrons shall have the duty to avoid moving skiers already on the slope or trail. The West Virginia Skiing Responsibility Act prohibits you from boarding or disembarking a lift in any area except at an area marked for such purpose; dropping, throwing or expelling any object from a lift, performing any act which interferes with the running of the lift, entering the boarding area of the lift without requesting and receiving instruction on its use, engaging in any harmful conduct or willfully or negligently engaging in any conduct which causes or contributes to injury to any person (including yourself) and boarding a lift without the authority of a representative of Canaan Valley Resort. Patrons shall be liable for any injury, loss or damage resulting from violating any of the above prohibited.

Read more on the West Virginia Skier Safety Act

You must have sufficient physical dexterity, ability, and knowledge to safely board, ride and unload lifts. For access to our lifts, retention devices are required on all equipment. Jumping from a lift, cutting lines or littering from a lift are some of the causes for ticket revocation. We reserve the right to close trails and/or lifts at any time due to weather conditions. Please check that loose clothing and equipment are not caught in the lift before you unload. We recommend for your safety backpacks be removed and placed in front or beside you on lift chair. In the case of lift problems, Ski Patrol will assist you.

Never jump from a lift! It's dangerous - Don't do it!

Please note the following procedures for children:

  • Place the child on the side of the lift nearest the attendant.
  • Place child between two adults if possible
  • Remove the child's poles and carry them yourself.
  • Have attendant slow the chairlift in advance if necessary.
  • Have the child listen carefully to the attendant's instructions.
  • When unloading, have the child keep ski tips up

Lift Operation

  • If you are unfamiliar with a lift, ask an attendant for assistance.
  • If your lift stops for a prolonged period, remain seated you will be assisted by the ski patrol.
  • Those skiers found misusing lift tickets, transferring lift tickets, or attempting to gain lift access without lift tickets, may be subject to criminal arrest and prosecution.

Remember: NEVER JUMP FROM A LIFT!

General Rules

  • All Guests must meet the height requirement of 42” and be at least 4 years of age.
  • Ticket MUST BE VISIBLE at All Times.
  • Secure All Valuables, WE ARE NOT LIABLE FOR BROKEN OR LOST ITEMS (PLEASE ZIP THEM UP).
  • One Rider Per Tube, Children must be in smaller tubes.
  • Please Let Ski Patrol know of ANY disabilities or special needs that need addressed.
  • Number of Linked Tubers is DETERMINED BY SKI PATROL & ATTENDANTS due to lane Conditions.
  • Link Big to Small, Never Small too Big.
  • Linking of Tubes Run Leash underneath the Handle & The Person Holds onto the Leash of the Other Tube (Single File).
  • Parents Hold onto your children’s tube.
  • Ride Tubes Seated with your bottom down, NEVER Kneel, Stand or Lay face down on the Tubes.
  • People beneath, down-lane of you have the RIGHT OF WAY.
  • No Ski Boots or Step-in style Snowboard Boots.
  • No Exchange or Refund for unused Tickets.
  • If a collision occurs between you and another guest, you are responsible for exchanging information with each other and notifying a resort employee.
  • West Virginia Sate Code prohibits anyone from using a magic carpet or tube park while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Magic Carpet

  • Do not load lift belt (Magic carpet) without attendant
  • No loose scarves, clothing or expose long hair
  • We recommend small children be accompanied by an adult
  • No smoking, alcohol or cell phone use on the lift belt
  • Do not ride the magic carpet under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Prepare to load Belt by getting a good footing
  • Load by stepping on belt one person in front of you pass is the marker
  • Drag your tube behind you or in front of you
  • Parents place small riders on tubes on top of yours and enter together
  • No standing inside or sitting in tubes
  • No walking or running on lift belt
  • Clear and unload quickly
  • Adhere to all posted signs

Top of Lanes

  • Lanes Vary from Day to Day (Some may be Closed Look for Signs).
  • Descend ONLY when Lanes are completely CLEAR, Lane Starter has given the GO to Start and Start Light is GREEN
  • NEVER DESCEND Down Lanes IF ANYONE IS IN THE LANE or at the End of Lanes or Light is RED
  • NO CELLPHONES OR CAMERAS ARE TO BE USED WHILE DESCENDING DOWN LANES.

Bottom of Lanes

  • Do not walk across lane sides. Walk to the end of lanes
  • Drag your feet to slow down.
  • Use caution when crossing Lanes (Cross Like You Cross A Street) looking up slope.
  • Keep the open area clear! Do not stand or wait for anyone in the deceleration area, keep this area open & clear. Exit to the side and toward the closest belt for another run.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH CANAAN VALLEY TUBE PARK RULES WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF PASS PRIVILEGES AND OR FORFEITING YOUR PASS FOR THE DAY.

Approved Snow Sliding Devices: This list is not exhaustive.

  • Snowboards
  • Downhill Skis
  • Telemark Skis
  • Snowblades
  • Snowdecks
  • Monoskis
  • All above must incorporate build in brakes or utilize a leash system.

Approved ADA Adaptive Snow Sliding Devices: This list is not exhaustive.

  • Sit Skis
  • Mono Skis
  • Bi-Skis

Non-Approved Devices: This list is not exhaustive

  • Cross-Country Skis
  • Boot Skis
  • Snow Skates
  • Snow Surfers
  • Skis/Snowboards with plastic edges
  • Snowshoes
  • Tandem Devices
  • Sleds, discs, saucers, tubes or toboggans
  • Fat tire bikes
  • Snow Bikes
  • Air Boards
  • Snow Scooters

Uphill Ski Policy

  • Uphill skiers must use a designated uphill trail, trail will be marked by Ski Patrol
  • Designated uphill trail will be marked on the daily ski trail report.
  • Uphill skiers must be aware of downhill traffic and avoid blind spots.
  • Uphill and downhill skier traffic on the same trail is strictly prohibited.
  • All uphill skiers must have a valid lift ticket or pass.
  • The cost will be the same as a single lift pass, which is equal to one lift ride.
  • As long as you go uphill, you can go as many times as you wish. An additional lift pass must be purchased for a second lift ride for non-season pass holders or daily pass holders.
  • Trails can only be used during Canaan Resort’s operating hours and can only be accessed from Canaan Resort’s Base entry points

Visit the Eastern Division National Ski Patrol's website for more information on skier safety and patrol protocol.

Questions?

Please contact us with any further questions regarding our safety procedures.

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