Safety & Policies

Responsibility Code

Review these tips often to help ensure a fun and safe snow day for you and others.

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

Responsibility Code - NSAA

New York State Skier's Code

Know The Zone

Every skier and rider gets 15 feet.

While on the hill, avoid collisions by giving others 15 feet of space on all sides.  If kids are present, go slower and give them more room.  Know that skiers and riders can turn suddenly, so stay in control to obey the 15-foot zone.

Mountain Safety

Helmets are always a smart idea!

As part of our commitment to safety, we include a free helmet with every rental package. We urge skiers and riders to wear a helmet but to also remain safety-conscious, skiing or riding with care. Skiing and snowboarding in a controlled and responsible manner is the best way to ensure your safety. Helmet’s however, do make a difference in reducing or preventing injury from falls or other impacts. So cover that head!

The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) supports the use of snow sport helmets. With the encouragement of resorts and parents as well as helmet education, snow sport helmet use has increased year after year. Visit www.lidsonkids.org for more information, safety tips, and research to help better understand the benefits of helmet use and snow sports safety.

Practice Lift Safety

Riding a chairlift is one of the safest forms of transportation available, but there are risks involved when people and moving machines come together. Your personal behavior is critical for overall chairlift safety. Need assistance? Ask the lift attendant for help if needed, that is what they’re here for!

• It is best that a parent or adult ride in the middle of the chair seat, with the child and/or children on either side of the adult. The smallest kids should load closest to the attendant.
• You should load onto a chair seat when you are ready. It’s okay to allow an empty chair to go by if you or your child is not prepared to safely load the lift.
• Before loading, remove and hold packs as straps may become entangled. Holding packs will reduce the likelihood of this happening.
• Remove ski poles from your wrists and hold your poles in one hand. Parents, it may be helpful to hold your child’s ski poles, as well as your own, while loading the chairlift.
• When loading, watch for the approaching chair. Then sit back as far as possible and never lean forward toward the edge of the seat, nor rest on the restraint bar.
• Sit still, hang on, and absolutely no horseplay while riding the lifts!
• Drop something? Let it fall. Ask ski patrol or the lift attendant for help once you have unloaded.

Heading into the Glades? 

Remember these tips for a safe and enjoyable adventure.

• Keep your goggles on and pole straps off.
• Don’t go into the glades alone. Always bring a buddy.
• New to the glades? Ask about our specialty lessons and tree clinics.
• Start with blue square glades and shorter routes. Work your way up!

Using our Freestyle Areas? 

Please note the quick points below and spend a moment watching the Smart Style video.

• START SMALL – Work your way up. Build your skills.
• MAKE A PLAN – Every feature. Every time.
• ALWAYS LOOK – Before you drop.
• RESPECT – The features and other users.
• TAKE IT EASY – Know your limits. Land on your feet.

Risk-Awareness Sessions

It is your responsibility to “Know the Code.” Risk-awareness sessions, where a safety person discusses the day’s conditions and hazards, are conducted by request. Stop at the Guest Services Desk for updates on the day’s conditions.

Friendly Reminders

• Bringing the kids? Have a plan should you get separated. If they get lost, children should go to the base of the nearest lift and let the attendant know.
• Safety first. Orient yourself to our patrol station locations and program our daytime emergency number into your phone: (518) 251-3838.
• Please be aware of construction, maintenance vehicles, and heavy equipment and obey all posted warnings.
• Use caution and stay alert- trucks and ATVs for mountain operations may be encountered at any time. Be advised that all poles, flags, fencing, signage, and padding on equipment or objects, or other forms of marking devices, are used by the resort to inform you of the presence or location of potential obstacles or hazards. These markers are no guarantee of your safety and will not protect you from injury. It is your responsibility to stay away from marked areas.
• Emergency notifications are posted at the base of every open lift, and announcements made over the public address system.

Mountain Policies

Uphill Policy

Uphill travel is prohibited during the snow season.

Drone Policy

Drones are not permitted on the mountain. The use of drones and/or other unmanned aircraft, collectively referred to as Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), is prohibited. The safety and privacy of our employees and guests are of primary importance.

Transporting of Small Children Policy

No transporting a child on your person when skiing or snowboarding (no baby packs, kids on shoulders, etc).

Downhill Equipment Policy

Our lifts and trails are designed for use by guests on a wide variety of skiing and riding equipment incorporating an array of different binding systems. While within ski area boundaries, each guest shall have a device on their skiing and riding equipment that is capable of restraining or stopping it in the event it becomes detached from the user. Gore Mountain Ski Patrol retains the right to prohibit any type of equipment at their discretion.

Allowed Equipment:

• • Skis
  • Snowboards
  • Telemark
  • Carving Boards
  • Snow Blades
  • Monoski
  • Biskis

Metal edges are required for all of the above.

   Prohibited Equipment:

• • Children in backpacks or other carrying devices
  • Airboards
  • Swissbobs
  • Ski boards
  • Snowbikes
  • Snowskates
  • Bike Boards
  • Sleds or snow toys of any type
  • Gore Mountain Ski Patrol retains the right to prohibit any type of equipment at their discretion.

Pet Policy

We welcome quiet, non-aggressive pets who are up to date on shots and vaccinations.

• Pets must be on a leash, in a carrier, or held and under control at all times.
• Any messes created by a pet need to be cleaned up by the pet’s owner.
• Pets are not allowed on chairlifts or gondolas.
• Pets are not allowed in lodges, indoor facilities, or food service areas.
• Pets may not be allowed in some event venues at Gore Mountain.

Service Animal Policy

Service animals are welcome at any time. A service animal must be under the control of its handler at all times. For ORDA’s full Service Animal Policy- read here.

Scenic Skyride Policy

• Adult passengers carrying children in their arms, backpacks, or other carrying devices, may ride in gondola cabins but not on chairlifts.
• All chairlift riders must be able to approach the loading area and sit on the chair unassisted and under their own power.
• It is recommended that chairlift riders be at least 52” tall to ride on a chairlift alone.
• For the benefit of our guests and employees, we reserve the right to make the final decision regarding the eligibility and safety of a rider.
• No smoking while on the skyride.
• Pets are not allowed on chairlifts or gondolas. For ORDA’s full Service Animal Policy- read here.

Reckless Skier

NYS General Obligations Law Article 18 states, “All persons using a ski trail or slope at a New York State ski area are considered to be skiers.”

Purpose

To promote safety in skiing and riding by maintaining a reasonable amount of control over the conduct and behavior of skiers and riders on the mountain.
To comply with all aspects of NYS General Obligations Law Article 18 Safety in Skiing Code.

Definition of Reckless Skiing & Riding

The skier/rider who is skiing/riding in a manner that is beyond their ability to control their actions.
Any person involved in activities that may result in personal injury to themselves or to others.
Any person who fails to abide by the New York State Safety in Skiing Code (found at General Obligations Law Article 18) particularly that section entitled “Duties of Skiers” General Obligations Law 18-105. Copies are available at Ticket Booth.

Reckless Skier Program

I. MISSION AND PURPOSE

The mission of the ORDA Reckless Skier Program is to promote skiing and snowboarding safety awareness, and education for employees and guests. The purpose is to educate employees and guests about the National Ski Area Association’s (NSAA) Your Responsibility Code (the Code) and safe skiing practices, enforce proper mountain etiquette, and attempt to reduce fast and reckless skiing/snowboarding.

The ORDA Mountain Safety Program is led at each ORDA venue by a team of ski patrol staff, department supervisors, and mountain managers. Using the Code as a guide, and employing the list of approaches below, each team is expected to:

• Monitor skiing and snowboarding on each mountain, especially in congested areas;

• Explain to offending individuals why their actions are endangering themselves and others;

• Offer suggestions about more appropriate behavior;

• Issue warnings;

• Depending on a guest’s attitude and the seriousness of an infraction, revoke lift privileges.

This guidance document in intended to explain the Code and how it is implemented at ORDA venues, ORDA expectations for guest interaction and intervention, and the types of infractions and levels of discipline that may be imposed for failing to adhere to the Code and the ORDA policies that are designed to assure public safety.

Lids on Kids

NSAA promotes the use of helmets on the slopes. We urge skiers and riders to wear a helmet – but to ski or ride as if they are not wearing a helmet. NSAA views skiing and snowboarding in a controlled and responsible manner – not helmets only – as the primary safety consideration for all skiers and boarders. A skier’s behavior has as much or more to do with the safety of the sport as does any piece of equipment.

Kids on lifts

NSAA views using and riding chair lifts in a responsible manner as one of the primary safety considerations for all skiers and boarders. A skier’s behavior has as much or more to do with the safety of the sport as does any piece of equipment from helmet to chair lift.

In 2012, the website www.kidsonlifts.org/ and the initiative as a whole debuted around the country to resorts and consumers. This site contains FAQs and safety tips on how to load, ride and unload responsibly, general skiing and riding tips, coloring pages for kids, public service announcements and more. The tagline “No Horsing Around” is a motto we hope to ingrain in not only children but every skier and boarder.

Safety Awards & Recognition

We were recently presented with two safety awards from the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA)- Best Guest Safety Program 2018 & Best Overall Safety Program 2020!

2020 BEST OVERALL SAFETY PROGRAM
These safety awards highlight the creative, innovative, and tried-and-true methods that keep guests and employees safe on the mountain. At Gore we invested in new lift catch nets, children’s vests with safety handles, an interactive safety kiosk, and RFID ticketing. Guest communications are consistently infused with safety tips and reminders. Behind the scenes, employees receive expanded CPR and defensive driving training, and mandatory ski and snowboard inspections. Our new safety products vending machine dispensed over 1,000 items and worker’s compensation claims decreased significantly.

2018 BEST GUEST SAFETY PROGRAM
These safety awards recognize exceptional resort initiatives to educate guests and employees about skiing and snowboarding responsibly. Our award was due in part to our consistent and frequent integration of guest safety information in promotional literature, on our website, in our lodges, and during special events.