Mountain Safety

1.  Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
2.  People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
3.  Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
4.  Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.
5.  You must prevent runaway equipment.
6.  Read and obey all signs, warnings, and hazard markings.
7.  Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
8.  You must know how and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
9.  Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
10.  If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.

Winter sports involve risk of serious injury or death. Your knowledge, decisions and actions contribute to your safety and that of others. If you need help understanding the Code, please ask any Willamette Pass employee.

ORS 30.970 (Definitions for ORS 30.970 to 30.990

(1)“Inherent risks of skiing” includes, but is not limited to, those dangers or conditions which are an integral part of the sport, such as changing weather conditions, variations or steepness in terrain, snow or ice conditions, surface or subsurface conditions, bare spots, creeks and gullies, forest growth, rocks, stumps, lift towers and other structures and their components, collisions with other skiers and a skier’s failure to ski within the skier’s own ability.

(2)“Injury” means any personal injury or property damage or loss.

(3)“Skier” means any person who is in a ski area for the purpose of engaging in the sport of skiing or who rides as a passenger on any ski lift device.

(4)“Ski area” means any area designated and maintained by a ski area operator for skiing.

(5)“Ski area operator” means those persons, and their agents, officers, employees or representatives, who operate a ski area. [1979 c.665 §1]

ORS 30.975 (Skiers assume certain risks)

In accordance with ORS 31.600 (Contributory negligence not bar to recovery) and notwithstanding ORS 31.620 (Doctrines of last clear chance and implied assumption of risk abolished) (2), an individual who engages in the sport of skiing, alpine or nordic, accepts and assumes the inherent risks of skiing insofar as they are reasonably obvious, expected or necessary. [1979 c.665 §2]

ORS 30.980 (Notice to ski area operator of injury to skier)

(1)A ski area operator shall be notified of any injury to a skier by registered or certified mail within 180 days after the injury or within 180 days after the skier discovers, or reasonably should have discovered, such injury.

(2)When an injury results in a skier’s death, the required notice of the injury may be presented to the ski area operator by or on behalf of the personal representative of the deceased, or any person who may, under ORS 30.020 (Action for wrongful death), maintain an action for the wrongful death of the skier, within 180 days after the date of the death which resulted from the injury. However, if the skier whose injury resulted in death presented a notice to the ski area operator that would have been sufficient under this section had the skier lived, notice of the death to the ski area operator is not necessary.

(3)An action against a ski area operator to recover damages for injuries to a skier shall be commenced within two years of the date of the injuries. However, ORS 12.160 (Suspension for minors and persons who have disabling mental condition) and 12.190 (Effect of death on limitations) apply to such actions.

(4)Failure to give notice as required by this section bars a claim for injuries or wrongful death unless:

(a)The ski area operator had knowledge of the injury or death within the 180-day period after its occurrence;

(b)The skier or skier’s beneficiaries had good cause for failure to give notice as required by this section; or

(c)The ski area operator failed to comply with subsection (5) of this section.

(5)Ski area operators shall give to skiers, in a manner reasonably calculated to inform, notice of the requirements for notifying a ski area operator of injury and the effect of a failure to provide such notice under this section. [1979 c.665 §3]

ORS 30.985 (Duties of Skiers) 

ORS 30.985 Duties of skiers; effect of failure to comply. (1) Skiers shall have duties which may include but are not limited to the following:

(a) Skiers who ski in any area not designated for skiing within the permit area assume the inherent risks thereof.

(b) Skiers shall be the sole judges of the limits of their skills and their ability to meet and overcome the inherent risks of skiing and shall maintain reasonable control of speed and course.

(c) Skiers shall abide by the directions and instructions of the ski area operator.

(d) Skiers shall familiarize themselves with posted information on location and degree of difficulty of trails and slopes to the extent reasonably possible before skiing on any slope or trail.

(e) Skiers shall not cross the uphill track of any surface lift except at points clearly designated by the ski area operator.

(f) Skiers shall not overtake any other skier except in such a manner as to avoid contact and shall grant the right of way to the overtaken skier.

(g) Skiers shall yield to other skiers when entering a trail or starting downhill.

(h) Skiers must wear retention straps or other devices to prevent runaway Equipment .

(i) Skiers shall not board rope tows, wire rope tows, j-bars, t-bars, ski lifts or other similar devices unless they have sufficient ability to use the devices, and skiers shall follow any written or verbal instructions that are given regarding the devices.

(j) Skiers, when involved in a skiing accident, shall not depart from the ski area without leaving their names and addresses if reasonably possible.

(k) A skier who is injured should, if reasonably possible, give notice of the injury to the ski area operator before leaving the ski area.

(L) Skiers shall not embark or disembark from a ski lift except at designated areas or by the authority of the ski area operator.

Violation of any of the duties of skiers set forth in Section 1 of ORS 30.985 entitles the ski area operator to withdraw the violator’s privilege of skiing. [1979 c.665 §4]  

ORS 30.990 (Operators required to give skiers notice of duties)

Ski area operators shall give notice to skiers of their duties under ORS 30.985 (Duties of skiers) in a manner reasonably calculated to inform skiers of those duties. [1979 c.665 §5]

Skiing and snowboarding off the groomed runs and in deep powder is one of the most exciting and appealing parts of the sport. However, if you decide to leave the groomed trails you are voluntarily accepting the risk of a deep snow immersion accident. A deep snow, or tree well immersion accident occurs when a skier or rider falls into an area of deep unconsolidated snow and becomes immobilized and suffocates. Deaths resulting from these kinds of accidents are referred to as a SIS harzards or Snow Immersion Suffocation. Become educated on how to reduce the risk of SIS hazards through your own action and awareness.

• ALWAYS ski or ride with a partner.
• KEEP your partner in sight.
• AVOID tree wells

The five main points of Park Smart:

• 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.

• Be familiar with the type of lift you are riding and what type of terrain it will bring you to. Ask for help if you need it.
• Avoid distractions while waiting in the lift line: Do not use your smartphone.
• Before loading, remove backpacks and secure loose items. Remove pole straps from wrists.
• Before moving out to load the chair, make sure everyone in your group is ready.
• Look over your shoulder to watch the chair approach.
• Sit all the way in the chair, flush with the seat back, for the full duration of the ride. Do not lean forward before you are unloading.
• If the lift has a restraint bar, wait until everyone is seated, and slowly reach up and lower the bar. Small children should not attempt to lower the bar. Adults and older kids should always help little kids lower the restraint bar.
• Be aware of your surroundings while riding the lift. If you drop something, let it fall. You can always ask ski patrol or the lift attendant at the top for help retrieving the lost item.
• As you approach the top terminal, prepare to raise the bar – but do not raise it too soon. Signs will help you know when to raise the bar.

Guests must completely remove backpacks and fanny packs and carry them in their lap while on lifts.

Drink plenty of non-alcoholic liquids. Your body’s tendency to dehydrate is greater at higher altitudes.

Ultra-Violet rays are more severe at higher elevations.  Protect your skin from the effects of the sun and keep in mind that the snow reflects the sun’s rays.  Wear sunscreen rated at least 30 SPF or higher.

Wear eye protection such as sunglasses or goggles. These should filter both UVA and UVB rays and be rated at 90%.  Eyes can sunburn just like your skin.

Packed snow can be abrasive. We highly recommend wearing garments that cover your hands, arms and legs completely.

Be prepared for quickly changing weather conditions. Dress in layers with your outer layer of clothing being of a water repellent fabric.

Wear or carry a ski hat with you. Sixty percent of all body heat is lost out of the top of your head.

On especially cold days, be aware of the potential for frost-bite. Drink warm fluids and take breaks often.

Pursuant to the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), and federal regulations at 28 C.F.R. 36.301 et seq., it is Willamette Pass Resort policy that service animals (which as defined under the ADA can only be dogs or miniature horses) are not permitted on open chairlifts at the resort, based on the legitimate safety requirements determined by Willamette Pass Resort regarding the safety of others guest and employees, as well as for the safety of the service animal itself. In addition, Willamette Pass Resort does not allow service animals to accompany guests on mountain trails and ski runs, again based on Willamette Pass Resort’s legitimate safety requirements concerning the safety of other guests, our employees, and the service animal itself. This policy of restricting service animals on both chairlifts and accompanying guests while using Willamette Pass Resort’s skiing terrain also applies equally to all other animals, including pets and emotional support animals. 

Service animals are welcome in base area facilities including the lodge. Service animals must be leashed, except in cases where doing so would interfere with the ability of the service animal to perform the tasks it is trained for. All service animals must meet current ADA guidelines to include, but not be limited to: remaining under the direct control of the user at all times; be house broken; and be trained and utilized for a specific disability approved by ADA regulations. Only service animals are permitted within guest facilities, all other animals, including pets and emotional support animals are not permitted within guest facilities.

All parking shall be at the direction of Willamette Pass. Overnight parking requires a special permit and fee. Area parking is for permit area guests and visitors.

Over the snow vehicles may be encountered at any time throughout the permit area. Guests shall regard them as emergency vehicles by slowing down, moving away and/or stoping when needed. Over the snow vehicles have the right of way at all times.

Uphill Access is Unavailable 

For the safety of our guests and employees, uphill access is closed due to continued mountain operations, including things like snowmaking and grooming.

We are currently working with the community on identifying the rules and guidelines for safe and enjoyable uphill access.

We DO NOT allow sledding on our mountain as it can cause danger to the sledder as well as others.

We do offer a FREE Snow Experience Orientation for those looking to learn more about skiing and snowboarding.

• Personal toboggans and sleds. Not including Ski Patrol and Mountain Operations specific devices operated by authorized personnel.
• Ski Bikes
• Snow Skates
• Boot Skis – with or without metal edges
• Trays or saucers
• Plastic sliding devices.
• Skis or snowboards designed for snow play without steel edges and/or with snowplay type bindings.
• Oversized items that cannot be safely carried on the lifts.
• Snowmobiles and ATVs except when operated by authorized personnel while on-duty or by applicable contractors for specific job tasks when authorized by ski area management.
• Fat Bikes

Willamette Pass Resort reserves the right to terminate skiing and riding privileges on a first offense of the Code of Conduct if it determines, in its sole discretion, that such action is appropriate. Especially egregious behavior could mean that an individual is banned from the slopes indefinitely. It is the individual’s responsibility to understand, and adhere to all rules, laws or regulations of the resort, city, county and state.

The ski area may remove persons from the permit area for the following acts/behavior:

• Violating the law, including the Oregon Skier Safety Act (ORS 30.970-30.990).
• Threats of violence or communications or actions likely to incite imminent violence or other imminent lawless behavior in others.
• Use of WPR improvements and lifts without being a paying customer
• Unauthorized resale or purchase of lift tickets/pass, or any other fraudulent use of/or alterations of ticket/pass.
• Actions likely to cause harm to self or other such as violation of closed areas, reckless/hazardous behavior on the slopes, including but not limited to reckless jumping, out-of-control skiing or boarding, impeding downhill traffic, excessive speed in designated slow areas, unauthorized construction of jumps or obstacles.
• Sledding or tubing anywhere within the permit area
• Unauthorized public use of snowmobiles or other motorized vehicles inside the permit area boundary. This to include personal drones of any kind.
• Unauthorized removal, destruction, defacing or relocating of any signs, barricades, rope lines, cones, or other warning of marking devices.
• Reckless or hazardous behavior on lifts that may endanger self or others such as jumping from lift, deliberate excessive swinging of chairs, climbing towers or in any way interfering with the safe operation of the equipment.
• Any conduct that interferes with the safe administration of avalanche control, including any failure to respect avalanche closures or posted hazards.
• Unauthorized overnight parking or camping.
• Use of any unapproved/unauthorized equipment or downhill devices at the ski area
• Any theft or vandalism 
• WPR reserves the right to protect its investments in quality ski experiences for quests of the ski area by not permitting skiers without a lift ticket from skiing developed run or trails during the winter operating season. Skiers may cross slopes (safely) without a lift ticket to access “side country” or other areas not included as WPR developed improvements as long as they are not otherwise interfering with ski area operations.

Drugs: Willamette Pass Resort operates under a special use permit issued issued by the U.S. Forest Service on Willamette and  Deschutes National Forest lands. Drug use and possession is illegal on Federal property. We have a strict policy against substances at our resort and we ask that you please respect our policy.

Alcohol: Only designated Willamette Pass Resort outlets may allow for open containers on our decks, patios and base area. Alcohol is not allowed to be consumed in the lift line or on our lifts.

OLCC Regulation (845-06-050) Prohibits anyone from bringing alcoholic beverages onto the ski area. The use of illegal substances on federal land is prohibited. Anyone caught using them will be removed from this facility and the proper authorities will be notified. The permit area (entire site) is a smoke free environment for health and safety.

Willamette Pass Resort discourages the use of electronic devices (cell phones, music players or earphones) while skiing/riding, or loading or unloading lifts.

Access to forest service trails

• Forest Service trails designated with blue diamonds within permit area may be used free of any charge at any time.

Access to alpine terrain

• All guests must have a valid lift or pass to be on the developed alpine terrain (runs or trails). Alpine gear required, to only include: Skis, Snowboards, Telemark or adaptive. Only downhill traffic is allowed on the developed alpine terrain. Any uphill traffic must take place outside the posted ski area boundaries during ski area operations.