10 snowboard and ski etiquette tips
Think you just strap into your board or clip into skis and ride? Think again! Certain unspoken rules exist on the mountain (and off). Don’t worry, though – Dope Mag’s here with ten tips to make sure you know your snowboard and ski etiquette.
Spend enough time on the mountain, and you become a pro at ski and snowboarding dos and don’ts. It’s not all pow laps, après sessions, and creative lines, my friend. There are certain unofficial – and some official – ‘rules’ to follow. But why learn the hard way (AKA get shouted at on the hill)? Instead, brush up on your slope etiquette with Dope Snow, and thank us later.
We’ve collated ten top tips and once you’ve read our rule book, don’t forget to prepare your new season look. Check out our just-dropped collection below.
Tips for the mountain
Stay in control
Remember who has the right of way
Look uphill when setting off
Be careful where you stop
Respect beginners and ski schools
Help others when needed
Have the right equipment
Check the chair bar
Only lead if you know the way
Brush up on lift line rules
1. Stay in control
Staying in control is number one on our list – and is number one in the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) Responsibility Code, too. You should always be able to avoid other riders and stop when needed (like an emergency stop when driving). If you can’t do that, you’re a definite danger on the mountain – to others and yourself.
Want to go full throttle? Make sure you have tons of space around you. Be wary of going too fast, though. Ski patrol can remove your pass if they consider your speed unsafe. You also need to be mindful of the terrain and its potential risks. For example, going full charge and hitting black ice on a busy slope is like sending a bowling ball towards pins. And only tackle terrain you can handle. That means avoiding a black diamond if you’re a complete newbie! Mastering parallel turns alongside massive bumps is not a good mix.
2. Remember who has the right of way
Spoiler alert: the downhill rider always has priority. Yep, even if you’re shredding the most perfect line of your life, it’s your responsibility to adjust your route and avoid a crash with anyone below.
The reasoning is simple – riders below you can’t see you. That’s because they’re looking downhill and focusing on their own line instead of worrying about yours. So, it doesn’t matter if it’s a pro, total beginner, ski school, or blader (*gulp*). If someone is ahead of you on the slope, it’s your job to react and avoid any shoulder clips, close-calls, or full-blown collisions.
3. Look uphill when setting off
You wouldn’t pull onto the highway without looking at who’s coming up behind you, right? The same goes for shredding. Whenever you’re setting off, take a peek uphill and only go if there’s enough space to pull out and ride.
The same goes for any trails that merge. If you’re on a lower trail, stop at the junction and make sure no one’s charging full speed above you. Okay, we know we said before that the downhill rider has the right of way. But, if you’re pulling into an existing slope, it’s your responsibility not to cause a crash by cutting up the rider above you.
4. Be careful where you stop
Thighs burning? Waiting for the rest of your crew? If you’re taking a break, stop somewhere sensible. That means where other riders can see you. For example, never, ever stop below a kicker. Jibbers ‘n’ park rats can’t see you in the run-up to the jump…until it’s too late. Yep, stopping in someone’s blind spot is a stupendously bad idea.
And never stop in the middle of a slope. Even though you’re more visible in the center of a trail, you’re more exposed to getting hit by skiers and snowboarders out of control. Instead, post up at the side where you’re well out of the way.
5. Respect beginners and ski schools
Remember to give newbies plenty of room because they’ll likely be nervous. Blasting right past them and invading their space won’t be a confidence booster. Novices are also more likely to fall and if you’re too close, you might end up in a pileup.
The same goes for a ski school line. We all know ski schools typically follow a ‘snake’ shape, with multiple little ones traveling across the slope behind the ski instructor. So, if you spot a ski school train, don’t be that person and dart through the line. Instead, ride around the lesson group and give everyone enough room to ride.
6. Help others when needed
It sounds cheesy, but most people on the mountain are there because they love it. So, let’s band together and help each other. That means lending a hand after someone’s fallen (or at least checking if they’re okay), picking up poles if dropped by a skier below you, getting on the chair with ski schoolers if they’re on their own, and more.
If you come across someone needing help after a fall, it’s good to know what to do. Can they walk? Help them get to the side of the slope where they’re out of the way. If they need medical assistance, know which emergency number to dial. Place your skis in an ‘X’ shape near the injured person, too. This alerts other riders to a problem so they can give you plenty of space. Ski patrol can also see where you are.
7. Have the right equipment
Only claim freshies off-piste or venture into the backcountry if you have your shovel, probe, and transceiver. Plus, it’s essential to know how to use them. This includes switching your transceiver on before you ride and clicking it to Search mode in the unfortunate scenario of locating a buried person in an avalanche.
Even if you have all the kit, it’s important to stay out of closed ski areas and avoid ducking ropes. There’s always a solid reason ski patrol hasn’t opened these particular sections – and it’s typically to do with your safety. If ski patrol catch you dropping in to closed-off or restricted areas, you can more than likely kiss goodbye to your lovely season pass. Don’t say we didn’t warn you…
8. Check the chair bar
Unless you’re on a chair lift alone, it’s always polite to ask if everyone is happy before lowering the safety bar. If you don’t wait for confirmation or a response, you can slam the bar onto someone’s head. You’ll then spend the rest of the ride in silence (or listen to your chair comrades complain about their new headache). Awkward!
The same goes for approaching the end of the chair. Don’t pull the bar up so early that people freak out. Alternatively, don’t play chicken and lift it at the last second. Instead, look for the sign near the control hut signaling when to lift the bar. And hope no one else jumps the gun…
9. Only lead if you know the way
Don't go first if you don’t know where you’re going. That sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised at the number of people who like playing leader, only to send their crew into unexpected terrain (or, in my friend’s case, off a 60-foot/18-meter cliff!). So, instead of zooming off the chair, take a second to glance at the resort map or trail signs.
On the flip side, avoid going last if you’re not your group's most confident skier or snowboarder. That’s because – should something go wrong – more confident crew members will be uphill and can help you up after a fall. Not all heroes wear capes…
10. Brush up on lift line rules
Unless you are touring and earning your turns, we all need lifts to take us up the mountain. But did you know there are a few unspoken rules to follow? Let’s check them out below…
Do wait at the sides
Wait for your crew at the sides rather than slap-bang in the middle of the lift line. Otherwise, you become an obstacle for people to maneuver around – and a target for eye-rolling and tuts.
Do respect the ski school lane
It might seem tempting to skip the queue and duck into the ski school lane, but that separate route is there for a reason.
Do have your lift ticket in the correct pocket
Try to have your lift ticket ready for the turnstile! Otherwise, you’ll cause more of a queue. Alternatively, make sure it’s the right lift ticket – i.e., not last year’s version…
Do fill up the chair
This speeds up the queue massively. You’re temporarily separated from your crew but striking up convos with strangers is one of our favorite hobbies!
Don’t cut the line
Try skating to the front of the line without waiting your turn? You’ll most likely be met with a barrage of shoulders blocking you from cutting in.
Don’t run your skis or board over other people’s gear
Keep your skis or snowboard to yourself. Hell hath no fury like a skier or snowboarder with a new scratch from another rider – especially if their kit’s brand new!
Don’t cause a pileup at the top
Be mindful of where you stop to tighten your boots, loop your poles, or strap into your board once off the lift. Don’t forget to claim the outside seat if you’re a snowboarder – it’s much easier to exit the lift that way.
Don’t anger the lifties!
Lifties keep the resort running (literally), so it helps to be on their good side. Why not give them a smile and show you appreciate them? They are the unsung heroes of the mountain, after all!
Wrapping up
Well, there we have it – now you know the vital ski and snowboard rules. Okay, most of these are common sense. But it all boils down to prioritizing safety, sharing the mountain, and considering others. Oh, and having an awesome time, of course!
Have other etiquette rules you want to share? Or want to spark a discussion with like-minded riders? Join the Dope Snow Community Facebook Group. Keep an eye out for our exclusive giveaways, meetups, and tons more fun stuff in there, too.
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