Protecting Terrain Park Visitors

Freestyle terrain parks offer some of the most progressive and entertaining things to do for any adrenaline junkie.  There’s nothing more satisfying than landing that amazing trick that none of your friends have been able to master.  When you mention the words ‘terrain park’ to your friends that ski or ride, I bet you hear words like ‘epic’, ‘crazy’, and ‘awesome’.  There is one thing to keep in mind when you’re about to head into your first run of the day- have you made your plan?

What is the Smart Style Terrain Park Initiative?

Developed by the National Ski Areas Association and Burton Snowboards, the Smart Style Terrain Park Initiative is designed to educate and protect guests that use freestyle terrain parks in resorts throughout the country.  It offers information and guidelines to help everyone enjoy the park and the ski season accident and injury free.  You’ll see this symbol in terrain parks, which designates Smart Style freestyle terrain.  Smart Style encourages skiers and riders to adhere to these four rules:

1. Make A Plan- Every time you use freestyle terrain, make a plan for each feature you want to use. Your speed, approach, and takeoff will directly affect your maneuver and landing.

2. Look before you leap- Scope around the jumps first, not over them.  Know landings are clear, and clear yourself out of the landing area.

3. Easy Style It- Start small and work your way up.

4. Respect gets respect- From the liftline through the park- respect others, the park, and the rules. 

Following these guidelines along with the advice of other Smart Style signs help keep everyone safe and accident free in any Terrain Park.

The Next Step

Although the four steps mentioned above do a great job covering the basics, some of Stonehouse Signs’ customers wanted to provide some additional tools to help determine if a feature is clear from hazards and safe to attempt.  Working with our sign experts, they developed this design:

As you can see, they upgraded the basic design, adding hand signals to help guests inform each other when a feature is available, or when a rider had a spill and might need some additional time to clear the way.  This can help decrease the chance of an accident and increase the opportunity to land that epic trick.

Do you need a Custom Smart Style sign for your terrain park?  Would you like to make your own version of what you see above? Stonehouse Signs can help!  Send us an idea of what you’re looking for, or browse our online ski catalog.