National Safety Month

January is dedicated to promoting skier and rider responsibility and mountain safety. Resorts across the U.S. participate every year to educate skiers and snowboarders about being safe and using common sense on the slopes.

To help spread the word, the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) is encouraging resorts to host a safety-focused event or series of events this season.

Each resort supports Safety Month in different ways by creating new and exciting initiatives on their mountain. Resorts can share their event with NSAA and participate in National Safety Month contests including a poster drawing contest and photo contest. Participating resorts can also apply for the NSAA Safety Awards.

Safety month poster contest

NSAA’s safety awareness poster contest promotes skiing safety awareness and education to elementary school children, supports classroom curriculum related to sports, health and safety, and gives kids a chance to have fun and be creative while learning about slope safety. The contest targets fourth, fifth and sixth graders, but any elementary-age child can participate. Students are asked to create a poster related to any one of the 10 points in the new “Your Responsibility Code.” Two winners are picked annually, one for “Most Creative Design” and one for “Best Overall Safety Message.” Prizes are awarded.

NSAA ski area members promote and administer the safety poster contest for kids in their respective local community and schools. Ski areas will judge and select their local winners. Local winning posters are then entered by the ski area in the national contest, giving local kids a chance to be recognized nationally for their winning design. For more information, go to www.nsaa.org/NSAA/Safety/Safety_Month_Poster_Rules___Regulations.aspx.

Safety month photo contest

The NSAA Journal is holding its 14th annual Safety Month Photo Contest. The ski area that submits the winning image highlighting January 2023 Safety Month festivities will be awarded free registration to one NSAA event over the course of the next year: a Fall Education Seminar, Eastern or Western Winter Conference, or National Convention and Tradeshow.

The winning photo also will be featured in an upcoming issue of the NSAA Journal. All entries will be considered for inclusion in the article, which will review National Safety Month activities at resorts nationwide.

All entries must convey a safety message, or depict resort guests and/or employees engaging in 2023 Safety Month activities. Images that feature good composition, clarity and originality will be given top consideration. The deadline for submissions is March 1. For more information, go to www.nsaa.org/NSAA/Safety/Safety_Month_Poster_Rules___Regulations.aspx.