Family Skiing "Slow" Zones

On weekends and holidays the yellow-jacketed Safety Patrol controls speed on the Lucky Shot trail off the Rainier Express chairlift and enforces the Slow Skiing Family Zone on all of Queens Run from top to the bottom on the Forest Queen chairlift. In both locations, the bright yellow “Speed Control” banners help control the flow of skiers and boarders.

These volunteer members of the National Ski Partol take a special interest in providing beginners and parents with small children, a place to learn without worrying about fast skiers or snowboarders flying by at high speeds.

Q. How do I know if I’m skiing too fast in “SLOW” areas?

A. In SLOW areas your speed should generally be at, or below that of others around you. If you find yourself passing everyone or weaving in and out of traffic, it’s time to move to a more-advanced trail. Remember, the signs don’t say “Stay In Control”—that’s expected of everyone. The signs say to go SLOW!

Q. How do you if someone is “reckless”?

A. The Responsibity Code” says to “…be able to stop or avoid other people or objects”. If you’re traveling at a speed or in a manner that suggests otherwise, then you’re probably being reckless.

Q. What should I do if I have a collision or near miss?

A. If you have a close call and frighten someone, you should stop and stay with them until you’re sure they’re OK. If you have a collision, the law requires that you exchange contact information even if there are no apparent injuries or equipment damage, before leaving.

Q. How can I report violators?

A. You’re encouraged to flag down a yellow-jacketed Safety Patrol volunteer, or any Ski Patroller in a red jacket with white crosses.

Lift Operators can also phone the Ski Patrol as thier lift-loading duties allow. The more descriptive information you can give the better, such as: skier or boarder, apparent age, clothing types & colors, hat/helmet/hair, equipment colors & designs, distinguishing features like beards, piercings, accents, etc.

Q. What’s the penalty for traveling too fast in SLOW zones?

A. If we kicked-out everyone who ever accidently got going too fast or fell down, there’d be nobody left. Going downhill is part of what gives skiing and snowboarding the fun “whee” factor. So we try to educate our guests to behave in a safe, responsible manner and revoke priveleges from those who don’t comply. The rules of our landlord, the U.S. Forest service, allow us to revoke passes without refund, from those who continue to behave in a manner we deem unsafe, and to prohibit their return to Crystal Mountain via Criminal Trespass order.