Mountain Safety Demonstrations Scheduled; Avalanche Dogs Featured

Aspen/Snowmass will host safety demonstrations and team up with ESPN Winter X Games 13 during NSAA safety week, January 17 – 23, 2009

Aspen/Snowmass, Colo., January 19, 2009 – Aspen/Snowmass will host on mountain demos, the annual Kids Poster Contest at Buttermilk and will partner with ESPN Winter X Games 13 to spread safe skiing and riding messages during NSAA’s Safety Week, January 17 - 23, 2009.

In addition to annual on-mountain demonstrations with avalanche dogs, there will be an increased discussion on rope ducking dangers and consequences. Most exciting, due to the overlap of the ESPN Winter X Games 13, Aspen/Snowmass is partnering with ESPN on safety messaging throughout the event.

Safety Week 2009 Schedule:
Wednesday, January 21 – Buttermilk – 11:30 a.m.
The annual Kids’ Poster Contest resumes at Bumps where children are invited to color safety posters to be displayed at Buttermilk. All children 12 and under (locals and visitors) are invited to participate.

Thursday, January 22 – Buttermilk – X Education Day, for local fifth grade students, is at Buttermilk on January 22. This provides an opportunity for high profile athletes to discuss safe skiing and riding with youth from the Roaring Fork Valley, among other topics such as the environment.

Thursday – Sunday, January 22 – 25 – Buttermilk – A safety week message, featuring Gretchen Bleiler, will air on the jumbotron throughout ESPN Winter X Games 13, reminding skiers and riders of park etiquette.

This week’s past events:
Saturday, January 17 – Aspen Highlands – 12:15 p.m.
Ski Patrol conducted Ski Area Boundary and Avalanche Dog Demos in front of the Merry Go Round. Children were invited to “get buried” and then were searched for by avalanche dogs.

Sunday, January 18 – Aspen Mountain – 12 p.m.
A “Beyond the Ropes” presentation conducted by Aspen Mountain Ski Patrol, educated guests on locating beacons, probing and dog searches in the case of an avalanche.

Monday, January 19 – Snowmass – 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Ski Patrol conducted a “Share the Mountain” exhibit in the new Snowmass base village, sharing speed and space awareness. There were interactive quizzes and prize giveaways.

The National Ski Areas Association, along with the National Ski Patrol, the Professional Ski Instructors of America, the American Association of Snowboard Instructors, and Willis and AIG insurance companies, have created the Safety Initiative campaign to assist ski area operators nationwide address the topic of slope safety education for guests. The primary goal is to attempt to further reduce the frequency of accidents, and to unify the industry to focus on and communicate a proactive, strong safety message.

Aspen Skiing Company operates the four mountains in the Aspen/Snowmass area - Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk - as well as the award-winning Ski & Snowboard Schools of Aspen/Snowmass. The area offers unparalleled nightlife and off-slope activities as well. Aspen/Snowmass is accessible by two of the most convenient airports in the mountains – Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) (3 miles from Aspen) and Eagle County Airport (EGE) (70 miles from Aspen). For more information on Aspen Skiing Company, please call 800-525-6200 or 970-925-1220, or visit the company’s website at www.aspensnowmass.com.

From a press release from Aspen Skiing Company.