Monarch Mountain
Smart Style is a terrain park safety initiative developed by the National Ski Areas Association. As its name implies, there is a smart way to use terrain parks. There are a number of key safety tips that you should know before entering a terrain park. Some resorts feature more than one terrain park, and they can range in size from small, medium, and large. Visit ski area websites to learn more about their terrain and terrain parks. The best way to learn how to safely navigate the various features, be it boxes, rails, jumps, or halfpipes, is to take a lesson from a professional instructor. Here are the four points of Smart Style:
1. MAKE A PLAN
Every time you use freestyle terrain, make a plan for each feature you want to use. How and where you land depends on your speed, your approach, and your take off. Know your limits, and stay within them.
2. LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP
On your first run through a terrain park, it is a good idea to inspect the features before using them. Get a close up look at the approach and landing zones. Before going off of a feature, make sure that the landing is clear and be sure clear yourself out of the landing quickly.
3. EASY STYLE IT
Many ski areas have terrain parks designed for beginners, so start small and work your way up.
4. RESPECT GETS RESPECT
From the lift line through the park, show respect for other skiers and snowboarders and ski area staff.
Learn more at www.terrainparksafety.org.
