NATIONAL SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK COMES TO COPPER

Copper Mountain, CO… January 12, 2007… Copper Mountain is proud to recognize and support the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) initiative of Safety Awareness Week Jan. 13-19. Copper's Slope Watch, Mountain Ambassadors, Ski Patrol, Ski & Ride School, Lift Operations and Terrain Park staff join together to promote on-snow health and safety by focusing on one safety principle each day of the week with giveaways, contests and more. The goal is to spread the word about the benefits of terrain park safety, the Skier Responsibility Code, helmet usage, backcountry safety, general wellness and the efforts of Copper's Ski Patrol, Ambassadors and Slope Watch.

Each day, Copper volunteers disseminate information and goodies across the mountain and at the Safety Station near the base of the American Flyer Chairlift. The Safety Station also serves as a hub of information and as a meeting place for clinics and tours throughout the week.
 

Saturday, Jan. 13 – Terrain Park Safety Day
A proper understanding of freestyle terrain, both by users and spectators, becomes increasingly important as the popularity and prominence of parks and pipes grows at resorts across the world. The National Ski Area Association and Burton Snowboards have developed the "Smart Style" Freestyle Terrain Safety initiative, promoting the principles of "Look Before You Leap," "Easy Style It" and "Respect Gets Respect." Guests can learn more about this initiative and support terrain park safety at Copper on Jan. 13 and all season long.

Sunday, Jan. 14 – Know the Code Day
The NSAA established "Your Responsibility Code" back in 1966 as a code of ethics for all skiers on the mountain. Today, the code reflects not only skier safety, but snowboarder and chairlift safety as well. Guests can learn more about "Your Responsibility Code" from Copper Mountain's Slope Watch Team and Ambassadors at various events throughout the day.

Monday, Jan. 15 – Lids on Kids Day 
The National Ski Areas Association, with the help of others across the snowsports industry, has developed a website, lidsonkids.org, to help educate parents about helmets for their children.

Copper Mountain's Slope Watch and Ambassadors are on hand to reward helmeted kids with stickers and offer coupons for 15% off a new helmet at participating stores throughout Copper. The Safety Station moves from the base of the American Flyer Chairlift to Union Creek for the day.
 

Tuesday, Jan. 16 – Backcountry Awareness Day
Interested guests can practice their skills with an avalanche beacon at Copper's Beacon Bowl Training Center behind the Timberline Patrol Duty Station, near the top of the American Flyer Chairlift. Local Backcountry Access representative Steve Christie is on hand to explain some of the details of backcountry preparedness. Guests can also learn about Copper's avalanche dogs while Eddie, the black lab, assists with a mock avalanche search at 1:00 p.m. near the top of the American Flyer Chairlift. Avalanche Dog hats are available for purchase at the Safety Station at the base of the American Flyer Chairlift throughout the week and help support Copper's Avy Dog program.
 

Wednesday, Jan. 17 – Wellness Day
Skiers and riders are encouraged to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen while enjoying Copper's high alpine environment by stopping the Safety Station at the base of the American Flyer Chairlift to pick up free samples while supplies last. Guest can also learn more about overall wellness, the effects of high altitude on the body and more.
  

Thursday, Jan. 18 – Meet Ski Patrol Day
Guests can meet at the Safety Station at the base of the American Flyer Chairlift at 11:00 a.m. for a pre-lunch tour of Copper Patrol duty stations where they can meet members of Copper Mountain Ski Patrol including avy dogs and see the behind the scenes of a day in the life of Copper Patrol.
 

Friday, Jan. 19 – Mountain Awareness Day
The Copper Mountain guest experience is made safer because of the volunteer Ambassador and Slope Watch programs. Guests can visit the Safety Station at the base of the American Flyer Chairlift to learn how they can participate in free daily mountain tours and snowshoe hikes led by the Ambassadors and receive information on Copper's Mountain Safety and Education programs from the Slope Watch Team.