Keeping the race arena clear and safe

Quick summary

Keep all equipment (packs, skis, and personal gear) behind the fences and away from the racecourse. When watching the course, position yourself well back from the course rather than right next to it. If you see something unsafe, alert race officials or course workers immediately.

Through small changes in our behavior, we can provide a cleaner, safer field of play for Masters athletes.

Far West Masters follows US Ski & Snowboard's Clean Hill Initiative, which focuses on creating a safer racing environment by keeping the course clear of obstacles that could injure athletes during falls or course-outs.

Why this matters

When athletes crash or slide out of course, things happen extremely quickly. People can usually get out of the way, but equipment left on the hill becomes a rigid obstacle. Video evidence from World Cup and Olympic races shows athletes hitting abandoned packs, skis, and other gear during crashes. Even items placed at what seems like a safe distance can be unsafe when an athlete slides down the hill.

What is the race arena?

The race arena includes all closed competition areas:

• The racecourse itself (within the side-to-side fencing)

• The start area and finish arena

• Ingress and egress routes to these areas

• Any location connected with the competition

Keep equipment behind the fences

For safety reasons, no gear should be within the race arena…full stop.

No gear within the race arena includes:

• Packs and backpacks

• Extra skis

• Any equipment not actively being used

• Personal belongings

Positioning on the hill

When watching the course or taking photos and videos, position yourself well back from the course rather than right next to it. Being further away creates much more open space for athletes and gives you a better view of the action. A clean hill eliminates hazards and prevents potential injuries for racers.

Everyone's responsibility

Eliminating as much risk as possible in the race environment is a team effort. We all need to pay attention to what's happening on the hill and be aware of unsafe situations.

If you see something unsafe, fix it if you know how:

• Ask spectators not to cross the rope line and explain why—a sliding athlete could hit them or their gear

• Move unattended spectator gear (packs, skis, personal items) outside the rope line to a safe location

• Help position other spectators well back from the course

If you see something unsafe, alert race officials or course workers for:

• Tools or equipment left inside the arena

• Issues with fencing or course infrastructure

• Anything connected to the race setup that poses a hazard