Mountain Safety

Hidden Valley Resort is committed to promoting slope safety. Share the slopes and be courteous to others. Be aware that there are elements of risk in snowsports that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce.

Observe Your Responsibility Code and share it with others on the slopes for a great snowsports experience!

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 ski area employee.

• Take a lesson – trained instructors can teach you more quickly and safely then learning on your own or from a friend.
• Share the slopes; enjoy a lifetime of skiing or snowboarding.
• Be “predictable” when skiing: Don’t suddenly swerve or stop.
• Go with the flow; pass others cautiously.
• Observe the areas posted as “Slow Zones” and slow down, regardless of your ability level.
• Fast or reckless skiing and snowboarding can result in injury to you or others and could result in the loss of your ski and snowboard ticket or season pass.
• Be courteous to others.
• End the day on a positive note. Stop skiing or snowboarding with the first signs of fatigue.
• Use caution when walking on steps, walkways and parking lots. Melting and freezing can cause surfaces to become slippery.
• A helmet is an important safety consideration. Use your head. Educate yourself about helmet use.
• Know the slope and trail ability designations.

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 slope or trail when under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

• Load and unload in designated areas.
• If you are unsure about how to get on/off any of our lifts, consider taking a lesson or ask a Mountain Ambassador for assistance.
• Your ski or snowboard ticket must be visible to the Mountain Ambassadors.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing or backpacks that may catch on a lift you are riding.
• If you fall while getting on/off the lift, keep your head down and low to the ground to reduce the risk of being struck by the chair.
• If the lift stops, remain on the chairlift.
• When unloading, stand on your skis or snowboard and glide away from the lift. Anticipate possible ice or a steep decline on the unloading ramp.
• Move quickly away from the unloading area to provide adequate distance for those unloading behind you.

For the safety of our guests, the following items are prohibited from being used on any slope or trail at Hidden Valley by anyone other than authorized personnel:

Drone Aircraft Policy

• For guests, employees, and resort property, as well as concerns for individual privacy, Seven Springs Mountain Resort prohibits the operation or use of unmanned aerial systems, or drones, by the general public – including recreational users and hobbyists – without the prior written authorization from the Resort. This prohibition includes drones used for filming or videotaping, as well as any drone use by media or journalists operating above or within the Resort’s boundaries. This prohibition on drone operations or use extends to any drones launched or operated from 
• Resort property, as well as drones launched from private property outside of the Resort boundaries. Please contact our Risk Management/Safety department if you have any questions or if you seek prior authorization to operate any aerial drones. Any authorized operation of aerial drones may be governed by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and regulations, local law enforcement, as well as those policies separately established by the Resort, which may include certification, training, insurance coverage, indemnification requirements, and waivers or releases of liability. Any violation of this policy may involve suspension of your skiing or snowboarding privileges, or the revocation of your pass, as well as confiscation of any drone equipment, and may subject violators to any damages, including, but not limited to, damages for violations of privacy and/or physical or personal injuries or property damage, as well as regulatory fines and legal fees.
• Thank you for your cooperation.

On Snow Equipment Restrictions

• The following devices are restricted slope use and must follow specific parameters.  Additional restrictions may apply based on conditions and policies set by resort safety leaders.

  Skibikes, Snowbikes & Snowtrikes

  • No more than three skis
  • Must have metal edge on skis.
  • One rider per bike
  • Must be loaded within envelope of chair.  Bike counts as a rider on the chairlift
  • No homemade devices
  • Must wear a leash at all times and braking device
  • May be restricted to certain areas and lifts for safety

  Snowdeck & Snowskate

  • Must have metal edges and a device to stop runaway equipment

  Adaptive Devices

  • Must have metal edges and a device to stop runaway equipment.
  • All adaptive devices must be able to be safely loaded and unloaded
  • No homemade devices.

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  For the safety of our guest, the following items are prohibited from being used on any slope or trail at Seven Springs by anyone other than authorized personnel from November 1 through the end of the ski season.

  • Bicycle converted snowbikes
  • Fat bikes
  • Mountain bikes
  • Plastic Snowboards
  • Snow Scooters
  • Sledding devices: toboggans, sleds, airboards, ghosky, etc.
  • Body Sleds
  • Inflatable Snow Toys
  • Any device when paired with infant carriers
  • Snowmobiles
  • ATV’s
  • Motor Vehicles
  • Snowshoes
  • Pets are not permitted on the slopes or chairlifts.