LUDLOW, Vermont ??” At Okemo, safety is one of the resort’s core values. Promoting safety awareness among staff and visiting guests creates a healthy environment in which to work and play. Okemo is pleased to be a part of the National Ski Areas Association’s (NSAA) National Safety Awareness Week, January 14-20, 2006.

Now in its eighth year, National Safety Awareness Week was created to communicate and reinforce a proactive and strong safety message and develop safety initiatives for ski resort staff and visiting guests. “Your Responsibility Code,” which is known to skiers and snowboarders as the “seven rules of the slopes,” is the cornerstone for safety education on the slopes.

Okemo’s staff will celebrate Safety Week with a variety of fun and informative sessions to reinforce safety on and off the slopes. Some of the events will include Team Safety Talks that emphasize safety among staff members, a poster coloring contest for kids in the Snow Stars Centers and at the Penguin Playground Day Care locations and “Know the Code” quizzes given by Okemo’s Mountain Ambassadors and Ski Patrol Ambassadors with guests on the chairlifts and slopes. Correct answers will receive a complimentary Hot Chocolate Card.

Safety messages will also be available on the daily snow report forms, on Okemo’s website at www. okemo.com and on rotating message boards around the mountain. “Heads Up” safety stickers will be passed out to visiting skiers and riders. There will also be a special consumer helmet demo featuring Boeri Ski and Snowboard Helmets.

One of the ways safety is communicated to visitors is through Okemo’s highly visible Ambassadors. These friendly and informative folks can be seen mostly on weekends and during holiday periods ??В¦ riding on the shuttle buses, greeting guests in the drop off area, giving mountain tours and skiing and snowboarding with trail maps in-hand ready to assist and direct guests to the on-mountain “hot spots.” They are easily recognized by their red and gray jackets.
Mountain Ambassadors provide updated information on snow conditions and the “trail of the day.” They offer free guided tours to intermediate and advanced skiers and riders on weekends and during holiday vacation weeks from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Ambassador Tours are a great way for new visitors to acquaint themselves with Okemo’s vast lift and trail network.

Okemo has also adopted on-mountain initiatives to promote Park and Pipe safety, Courtesy and Common Sense and safety tips for kids that include reminders for parents and kids. Helmets are available for rent inside the Okemo Express Rental Shop located at the Okemo base and the Jackson Gore base. The Okemo Snowsports Shops have a wide selection of helmet sizes and colors for purchase with incentive offers when two or more are purchased.

Okemo’s approach to National Safety Week is one that stresses education and fun on the slopes. It’s also a value that is highlighted no matter what the season.

For more information visit www.okemo.com.