Lincoln, NH, January 11, 2012: Loon Mountain continues its commitment to safety both on and off the mountain by celebrating National Safety Awareness Week, January 14-22, in conjunction with its popular annual Independence Weekend events. Created by the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) to help raise safety awareness at resorts across the country Safety Week will be recognized this year at Loon in a number of different ways for both guests and employees.

Children 12 and under are invited to enter the NSAA Responsibility Code Poster Contest through January 22 by stopping by the Adventure Center or Loon Mountain Sports. Forms can also be downloaded through the NSAA website (nsaa.org ) under the Safety Programs tab. Completed entry forms need to be submitted at Loon Mountain Sports by January 22. A panel of Loon employees will choose the winning posters and the top three winners will receive prizes. Loon poster finalists will also be entered in NSAA’s national contest.

Throughout the weekend of January 14-16, a Safety Week Headquarters tent will be set up outside The Shred Shed freeski & snowboard shop. Reps from Giro, POC, and Smith will be on hand throughout the weekend for helmet demos. Loon Ski Patrol will offer safety advice to guests and hand out Know the Code buttons and Responsibility Code postcards. Hot cocoa will also be available at the tent throughout the weekend.

On Monday January 16, Steve Reinfurt, a Loon Mountain Ski Patroller and a member of the American Association of Avalanche Professionals, will be giving 15 minute presentations on avalanche awareness. Presentations will be held on the hour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ski Patrol building at the Gondola summit.

In addition to the helmet demo, participants in Loon’s Seasonal Snowsports Programs will be promoting helmet awareness by decorating old helmets and displaying them in the headquarters tent.

Throughout the week, a number of departments will also be doing their part for Safety Week. Loon employees will be sporting ‘Know the Code’ buttons to raise awareness about the Responsibility Code. Loon Mountain Sports and the Shred Shed will be offering special discounts on helmets, leashes, and wrist guards. Guests can get their bindings checked for free at Loon Mountain Sports Monday through Friday. Lift operations will be competing in an ice sculpture contest with a Responsibility Code theme. Guests can vote on the best sculpture and enter their vote into a drawing for prizes. Ballots will be available at the Safety Week HQ Tent and the winners will be drawn at 5 p.m. in the Bunyan Room on January 14, 15, and 16th. Food and beverage locations will be highlighting their healthy options throughout the week and display facts about the best things to eat and drink to stay hydrated and energized throughout a day of skiing and riding.

Borrowing from the TV quiz show Cash Cab, Loon will roll out their version, called ‘Cash Cabin,’ which will take place on the gondola throughout Safety Week. Several Loon employees will ride the Gondola with guests at random and quiz them on the Responsibility Code and other safety topics. If the contestants answer the questions correctly, they will win prizes. The ‘show’ will be filmed and the videos will be posted on Loon’s Facebook page.

Meg Clinton, Loon terrain park ambassador, will be offering terrain park safety tours, during January 14-16, to help educate skiers and riders about park safety and proper etiquette so that Loon’s parks can be enjoyed by all.

PEEPs, Loon’s Park Etiquette and Education Program, which was launched by Loon’s terrain park staff two winters ago, is an online interactive program that educates skiers and riders about freestyle terrain and signage. Once a skier or snowboarder completes the online quiz, they can download a voucher and pick up their PEEPs pass the next time they visit Loon. PEEPs pass holders can enjoy benefits such as five dollars off specific terrain park event registration, discounts at The Shred Shed and Loon Mountain Sports, a chance to win gear from different sponsors in monthly raffles, and special events. For more information on Loon’s Safety Week visit loonmtn.com . For more information on National Safety Week, please visit www.nsaa.org .