Mountain Safety & Policies

WARNING - By visiting Winterplace you are entering a mountain environment. This means you may slip, fall, and experience rugged conditions such as snow, ice, water, rocks, branches, grass, trees, and uneven terrain. Sturdy footwear is recommended. This is an active ski resort, please be alert of your surroundings. By entering this area, you are aware of the mountain conditions and are entering at your own risk.

Expect The Unexpected

Snowcats, snowmobiles, and snowmaking may be encountered at any time.
While skiing, you may encounter rocks, trees, changing visibility and snow conditions.
Slow Zones: Certain areas (indicated on the map in yellow) are designated as SLOW ZONES. Please observe the posted slow areas by maintaining a speed no faster than the general flow of traffic. Space and speed are especially important in these areas. Fast and aggressive skiing will not be tolerated.

BE ALERT! SKI ON DESIGNATED TRAILS ONLY!

Know The Code

The National Ski Areas Association established the "Your Responsibility Code" in 1966 as a code of ethics for all skiers on the mountain. Today, the code reflects not only skier safety but snowboarder and lift safety as well. Ultimately, safe skiing and snowboarding on the mountain is each person's responsibility. The following Responsibility Code helps all skiers and snowboarders have a safer experience.

Your Responsibility Code

Safety on the slopes is everyone's responsibility. Ski safely - not only for yourself but for others as well.
Always stay in control and be able to stop or avoid objects.
People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
Do not stop where you obstruct the trail or are not visible from above.
Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, yield to others.
Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
Observe all posted signs and warnings.
Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
Prior to using any lift, you must know how to load, ride, and unload safely.

West Virginia Skiing Responsibility Act

The West Virginia Legislature has recognized that there are inherent risks to skiing in its various forms, including snowboarding, snowtubing and other forms of snow riding ("Recreational Snow Sports”). Under the West Virginia Skiing Responsibility Act, Winterplace patrons ("Patrons") accept the fact that Recreational Snow Sports have inherent risks and can be HAZARDOUS. Patrons are therefore responsible for any injury, loss or damage to any person or property resulting from the inherent risks of Recreational Snow Sports at Winterplace. Patrons are also responsible for reading and complying with all signs, instructions, posted information and other warnings. Winterplace Ski Resort, New Winterplace LLC and New Winterplace, Inc., and their owners, members, directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, and insurers (collectively, the “released parties”) are not responsible or liable for any injury or harm to any Patrons, including minor Patrons, caused by inherent risks.
Trail conditions may vary across the mountain with weather conditions and Patron use. The West Virginia Skiing Responsibility Act requires you to know the range of your ability to negotiate any slope or trail, ski within the limits of your own ability, maintain reasonable control of your speed and of the course at all times, heed all posted warnings, ski only in areas designated by Winterplace, refrain from acting in a manner which may cause or contribute to the injury of anyone (including yourself), maintain a proper lookout so as to avoid other Patrons and objects, and act in a manner to avoid obstacles and hazards which may cause injury, loss or damage including, but not limited to: variations in terrain including freestyle terrain, icy terrain, surface or subsurface snow or ice conditions, bare spots, rocks, stumps, trees, moguls, other forms of forest growth or debris, collisions with other skiers, natural and manmade objects, pole lines, lift towers or any component thereof and/or collisions with marked snowmaking equipment. Be aware that snowmaking and snow grooming may be in progress at any time and avoid any such equipment.
The West Virginia Skiing Responsibility Act also prohibits you from placing any object in the skiing area or on the uphill track or lift which may cause a passenger or other Patron to fall, crossing the track of any lift or rope tow except at a designated location, failing to wear retention straps or other devices to help prevent runaway equipment, skiing on a slope or trail that has been posted as "Closed," using any slope while your ability to do so is impaired by the consumption of alcohol, the use of any controlled substance or other drug or while you are under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance or other drug. Before beginning to ski from a stationary position or before entering a slope or trail from the side, Patrons shall have the duty to avoid moving skiers already on the slope or trail.
The West Virginia Skiing Responsibility Act prohibits you from boarding or disembarking a lift in any area except at an area marked for such purpose; dropping, throwing or expelling any object from a lift, performing any act which interferes with the running of the lift, entering the boarding area of the lift without requesting and receiving instruction on its use, engaging in any harmful conduct or willfully or negligently engaging in any conduct which causes or contributes to injury to any person (including yourself) and boarding a lift without the authority of a representative of Winterplace. Patrons shall be liable for any injury, loss or damage resulting from violating any of the above prohibitions.

West Virginia Skiing Responsibility Act (Download)

Be Aware. Ski & Ride With Care!

We encourage skiers and riders to wear a helmet - but to ski or ride as if they are not wearing a helmet. Skiing and snowboarding in a controlled and responsible manner - not helmets only - is a primary safety consideration for all skiers and boarders. A skier's behavior has as much to do with the safety of the sport as does any piece of equipment.

Freestyle Terrain: Smart Style - LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP

You are responsible for inspecting Freestyle Terrain before initial use and throughout the day. The features vary in size and change constantly due to snow conditions, weather, usage, grooming and time of day. Do not jump blindly. Use a spotter.

Respect Gets Respect

Be considerate to fellow skiers and riders. Fast riding and destructive behavior will not be tolerated at Winterplace. Respect Freestyle Terrain and others using the features. Only one person on a feature at a time. Wait for your turn and call your start. Always clear the landing area quickly. Respect all signs and do not enter the terrain park or use features when closed.

Lift Information

You must have sufficient physical dexterity, ability, and knowledge to safely board, ride and unload lifts. For access to our lifts, retention devices are required on all equipment. Jumping from a lift, cutting lines or littering from a lift are some of the causes for ticket revocation. We reserve the right to close trails and /or lifts at any time due to weather conditions. Please check that loose clothing and equipment are not caught in the lift before you unload. In the case of lift problems, Ski Patrol will assist you.

Never jump from a lift! It's dangerous - Don't do it!

Please note the following procedures for children:

Place the child on the side of the lift nearest the attendant.
Remove the child's poles and carry them yourself.
Have attendant slow the chairlift in advance if necessary.
Have the child listen carefully to the attendant's instructions.
When unloading, have the child keep ski tips up

Lift Operation

If you are unfamiliar with a lift, ask an attendant for assistance.
If your lift stops for a prolonged period, remain seated you will be assisted by the ski patrol.

NEVER JUMP FROM A LIFT!
Those skiers found misusing lift tickets, transferring lift tickets, or attempting to gain lift access without lift tickets, may be subject to criminal arrest and prosecution.

Caution

Snowcats, snowmobiles, and snowmaking may be encountered at any time.
Slow Zones: Certain areas (indicated on the map in yellow) are designated as SLOW ZONES. Please observe the posted slow areas by maintaining a speed no faster than the general flow of traffic. Space and speed are especially important in these areas. Fast and aggressive skiing will not be tolerated.

To Report an Accident

Place crossed skis in snow above injured skier to form an "X" pattern.
Alert ski patrol by contacting the nearest lift attendant or by notifying any mountain employee.
STAY ON THE SCENE, until the ski patrol arrives; provide your name and address to ski patrol.

Ski Patrol / First Aid

Our ski patrol is staffed by professionals who want to help you. Stop by the ski patrol station at the top of the mountain, the information desk at the Resort Center, The MountainHouse, or First Aid Room under Mickey's Mountain Cafe. See trail map for details of locations.

Kids, Parents, Friends, & Family

If your kids don't have an ID, give them your business card or a luggage tag with information about where you are staying or how to reach you - cell phone number.
If you become separated from your group, alert a Winterplace Employee to assist you in reuniting with your group.
The information desk at the Resort Center or The MountainHouse: Make sure that everyone in your party knows of these locations. If all else fails and you can't find your friends or family, plan to meet them there.

Policies

COVID-19 Safety & Policies

Please review our COVID-19 Safety & Policies page for the most up-to-date resort information, safety, & policies in regards to the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

COVID-19 Safety & Policies Page

Drones

Out of safety concerns for guests, employees and resort property, as well as concerns for individual privacy, Winterplace Ski Area 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 Ski Area. This prohibition includes drones used for filming or videotaping, as well as any drone used by media or journalists operating above or within Winterplace Ski Resort boundaries. This prohibition on drone operations or use extends to any drones launched or operated from Ski Area property, as well as drones launched from private property outside of the Ski Area boundaries. Please contact a resort representative (800) 607-7669 if you any questions or if you any questions.

Pets

No pets are permitted inside Winterplace facilities. Pets outside facilities must be leashed at all times. Please pick up after pets.

Picnicking

No outside food or beverages will be permitted in resort buildings. If you wish to bring your own food & beverages, please store and enjoy at your vehicle.
No coolers or boxes permitted in resort buildings or on decks.
Ski and Snowboard Equipment is not allowed in the food court or dining areas. Please use ski/board racks outside or the ski check.

Photo Release

Winterplace Ski Resort will be shooting photography and video during the season for promotional use. By purchasing a lift ticket, we have the right to use your image in any print, interactive, or broadcast materials. No compensation will be given.