The members of Timberline's Professional Ski Patrol are dedicated to your safe enjoyment of the Timberline Lodge Ski Area. We are your best source of information about current weather, snow conditions, run recommendations, closures and more. Find us and ask...that's one of the things we're here for!
Safety Tips
Skiing and snowboarding can be enjoyed in many ways. You may see people using alpine, snowboard, telemark, cross country and other specialized ski equipment, such as that used by disabled or other skiers. Regardless of how you decide to enjoy the slopes, always show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce.
Skier Responsibility Code
Observe the code listed below and share with other skiers the responsibility for a great skiing experience.
1. Always stay in control.
2. People ahead of you have the right of way.
3. Stop in a safe place for you and others.
4. Whenever starting downhill or merging, look uphill and yield.
5. Use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
6. Observe signs and warnings, and keep off closed trails.
7. Know how to use the lifts safely.
KNOW THE CODE. IT’S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
Officially Endorsed by National Ski Areas Association
Trail Symbols
Trail difficulty designations are relative only to Timberline Lodge Ski Area and may not correspond to what you find at other skis areas. When new to an area, we encourage you start out on terrain a notch below your ability level at other resorts.
Closure and Boundary signs are placed for specific purposes and impose specific responsibilities for skiers and riders.
Deep Snow & Tree Well Safety
The Pacific Northwest’s deep maritime snowpack can create an unexpected danger of being trapped in the unseen void next to large trees. When skiing or riding off groomed trails in the conditions, always have a partner and keep each other in sight. Click here to learn more at treewelldeepsnowsafety.com.
The NSAA has also put together a great article on this topic – click here to read.
Off The Beaten Path
For safety, Timberline Lodge Ski Area recommends staying on designated, groomed trails. Those who choose to venture into more challenging terrain should be aware of their greater responsibility for protecting their own safety and the risks they pose to others. You can view our trail map by clicking here.
TIMBERLINE BOUNDARY POLICY
Timberline does not recommend out of bounds skiing or riding; however if you choose to leave our boundaries you must follow these rules:
1. Exit ski area through designated gates only
2. Do not exit the ski area unless you meet the following criteria:
a. You are familiar with your route outside the area
b. You are with a group or buddy
c. You and each member of your group are equipped with transceiver, probes, and shovels and know how to use them
d. You are aware of and understand the current avalanche forecast
3. Be aware that all canyons outside the ski area boundary quickly lead away from the ski area
4. Deadly hazards exist outside timberline’s boundary including avalanches, terrain traps, low or no visibility, confusing routes, blow holes, glacier crevasses and tree wells. By leaving the ski area, you understand and accept the risk of death or injury from these and all other hazards
5. Once you are outside the ski area boundary, you are responsible for your own safety, transportation and evacuation. Help, if available at all, will be hours away.
Skiing and snowboarding can be enjoyed in many ways. You may see people using alpine, snowboard, telemark, cross country and other specialized ski equipment, such as that used by disabled or other skiers. Regardless of how you decide to enjoy the slopes, always show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce.
Skier Responsibility Code
Observe the code listed below and share with other skiers the responsibility for a great skiing experience.
1. Always stay in control.
2. People ahead of you have the right of way.
3. Stop in a safe place for you and others.
4. Whenever starting downhill or merging, look uphill and yield.
5. Use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
6. Observe signs and warnings, and keep off closed trails.
7. Know how to use the lifts safely.
KNOW THE CODE. IT’S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
Officially Endorsed by National Ski Areas Association
Trail Symbols
Trail difficulty designations are relative only to Timberline Lodge Ski Area and may not correspond to what you find at other skis areas. When new to an area, we encourage you start out on terrain a notch below your ability level at other resorts.
Closure and Boundary signs are placed for specific purposes and impose specific responsibilities for skiers and riders.
Deep Snow & Tree Well Safety
The Pacific Northwest’s deep maritime snowpack can create an unexpected danger of being trapped in the unseen void next to large trees. When skiing or riding off groomed trails in the conditions, always have a partner and keep each other in sight. Click here to learn more at treewelldeepsnowsafety.com.The NSAA has also put together a great article on this topic – click here to read.
Off The Beaten Path
For safety, Timberline Lodge Ski Area recommends staying on designated, groomed trails. Those who choose to venture into more challenging terrain should be aware of their greater responsibility for protecting their own safety and the risks they pose to others. You can view our trail map by clicking here.
TIMBERLINE BOUNDARY POLICY
Timberline does not recommend out of bounds skiing or riding; however if you choose to leave our boundaries you must follow these rules:
1. Exit ski area through designated gates only
2. Do not exit the ski area unless you meet the following criteria:
a. You are familiar with your route outside the area
b. You are with a group or buddy
c. You and each member of your group are equipped with transceiver, probes, and shovels and know how to use them
d. You are aware of and understand the current avalanche forecast
3. Be aware that all canyons outside the ski area boundary quickly lead away from the ski area
4. Deadly hazards exist outside timberline’s boundary including avalanches, terrain traps, low or no visibility, confusing routes, blow holes, glacier crevasses and tree wells. By leaving the ski area, you understand and accept the risk of death or injury from these and all other hazards
5. Once you are outside the ski area boundary, you are responsible for your own safety, transportation and evacuation. Help, if available at all, will be hours away.
Helmet Use
There is an inherent risk in skiing and snowboarding. Timberline views skiing and snowboarding in a controlled and responsible manner as the primary safety consideration for all skiers and snowboarders. We also promote helmet use. While wearing a helmet is a personal choice, we simply think it is smart thinking; a good idea, and we strongly advise it. Helmet use has been on the rise in recent years, to the point where the majority of skiers and snowboarders on the hill now wear a helmet. We also strongly advise the use of helmets for children. Keep in mind that it is important that helmets be properly fitted and do not inhibit vision or hearing. For more information on helmet use for children, we encourage you to visit this website www.lidsonkids.org.
Beyond the Ski Area Boundary
Accepting the risk of skiing or snowboarding beyond the boundary should only be considered with the following:
a) proper avalanche education
b) proper avalanche equipment & training (probe, shovel & beacon)
c) being with a knowledgable group or “buddy”
d) backcountry travel knowledge and experience
e) knowledge of local conditions including snow pack history
Ski and Snowboard tracks may lead beyond Timberline’s boundary to where there is NO avalanche control, NO trail signs, CONFUSING route directions and DANGEROUS terrain traps. Rescue, if possible, will be slow and may be costly to you. Remember that hiking, skinning or snowshoeing into closed areas is prohibited.
Mt. Hood Ski Patrol
The Mt. Hood Ski Patrol is composed of nearly 300 volunteers, all dedicated to providing quality rescue and emergency care to participants in seasonal activities on Mt. Hood. The Mt. Hood Ski Patrol works alongside Timberline’s full-time Professional Ski Patrol to service all of our guests on weekends and holidays.
For more information on the Mt. Hood Ski Patrol, and to donate vital funds that keep the Patrol running, click here to visit their site.
Oregon State Law
OREGON SKIER STATUTE ORS 30.970 TO 30.990
Violation of any of these duties entitles the ski area operator to withdraw the violator’s privilege of skiing. The following are excerpts from the statute. References to “Skiers” & “Skiing” include skiing, snowboarding and other winter activities.
• Skiers accept and assume the inherent risks of skiing (in so far as they are reasonably obvious, expected or necessary).
• Skiers who ski in any area not designated for skiing within the permit area assume the inherent risks thereof.
• 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.
• Skiers shall abide by the directions and instructions of the ski area operator.
• Skiers shall familiarize themselves with posted information on location and degree of difficulty of trails and slopes to the extent reasonably possible before skiing any slope or trail.
• Skiers shall not cross the uphill track of any surface lift except at points clearly designated by the ski area operator.
• 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.
• Skiers shall yield to other skiers when entering a trail or starting downhill.
• Skiers must wear retention straps of other devices to prevent runaway skis.
• Skier 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 of verbal instructions that are given regarding the devices.
• Skiers, when involved in a skiing accident, shall not depart from the ski area without leaving their names and addresses if reasonably possible
• A skier who is injured should, if reasonably possible, give notice of the injury to the ski area operator before leaving the ski area.
• Skiers shall not embark or disembark from a ski lift except at designated areas or by the authority of the ski area operator
There is an inherent risk in skiing and snowboarding. Timberline views skiing and snowboarding in a controlled and responsible manner as the primary safety consideration for all skiers and snowboarders. We also promote helmet use. While wearing a helmet is a personal choice, we simply think it is smart thinking; a good idea, and we strongly advise it. Helmet use has been on the rise in recent years, to the point where the majority of skiers and snowboarders on the hill now wear a helmet. We also strongly advise the use of helmets for children. Keep in mind that it is important that helmets be properly fitted and do not inhibit vision or hearing. For more information on helmet use for children, we encourage you to visit this website www.lidsonkids.org.
Beyond the Ski Area Boundary
Accepting the risk of skiing or snowboarding beyond the boundary should only be considered with the following:
a) proper avalanche education
b) proper avalanche equipment & training (probe, shovel & beacon)
c) being with a knowledgable group or “buddy”
d) backcountry travel knowledge and experience
e) knowledge of local conditions including snow pack history
Ski and Snowboard tracks may lead beyond Timberline’s boundary to where there is NO avalanche control, NO trail signs, CONFUSING route directions and DANGEROUS terrain traps. Rescue, if possible, will be slow and may be costly to you. Remember that hiking, skinning or snowshoeing into closed areas is prohibited.
Mt. Hood Ski Patrol
The Mt. Hood Ski Patrol is composed of nearly 300 volunteers, all dedicated to providing quality rescue and emergency care to participants in seasonal activities on Mt. Hood. The Mt. Hood Ski Patrol works alongside Timberline’s full-time Professional Ski Patrol to service all of our guests on weekends and holidays.For more information on the Mt. Hood Ski Patrol, and to donate vital funds that keep the Patrol running, click here to visit their site.
Oregon State Law
OREGON SKIER STATUTE ORS 30.970 TO 30.990
Violation of any of these duties entitles the ski area operator to withdraw the violator’s privilege of skiing. The following are excerpts from the statute. References to “Skiers” & “Skiing” include skiing, snowboarding and other winter activities.
• Skiers accept and assume the inherent risks of skiing (in so far as they are reasonably obvious, expected or necessary).
• Skiers who ski in any area not designated for skiing within the permit area assume the inherent risks thereof.
• 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.
• Skiers shall abide by the directions and instructions of the ski area operator.
• Skiers shall familiarize themselves with posted information on location and degree of difficulty of trails and slopes to the extent reasonably possible before skiing any slope or trail.
• Skiers shall not cross the uphill track of any surface lift except at points clearly designated by the ski area operator.
• 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.
• Skiers shall yield to other skiers when entering a trail or starting downhill.
• Skiers must wear retention straps of other devices to prevent runaway skis.
• Skier 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 of verbal instructions that are given regarding the devices.
• Skiers, when involved in a skiing accident, shall not depart from the ski area without leaving their names and addresses if reasonably possible
• A skier who is injured should, if reasonably possible, give notice of the injury to the ski area operator before leaving the ski area.
• Skiers shall not embark or disembark from a ski lift except at designated areas or by the authority of the ski area operator
