SAFETY

Glades
At Jay Peak, we’re fanatics about snow sports, just like you, which is why we have the most liberal in-boundary skiing policy of any mountain around. For our incredible glade system, we’ve developed some tips and guidelines to help you get the most out of your day. We want to limit unpleasant surprises like long walks out with equipment that gets heavier by the minute! Consider it advice from the locals.

We’ve come up with a few simple guidelines for glades skiing designed for safety but that won’t hamper your fun. These guidelines are printed on the trail map, but basically they are:

The woods are for expert skiers
The woods should be skied in groups of at least three
Do not go into the woods after 3 p.m.
Woods are not open, closed or marked
Skiers cannot go under or around ropes and fences to ski the woods
Boundary woods can lead you away from Jay Peak

Even though this is the East, Jay Peak is a big mountain, and it’s very cold at night. Skiing out of bounds will lead you away from Jay Peak, some places further away than others. Be prepared, look at maps and know where you’re going. Dress properly and pack extra clothing, food, water, a map and a compass, first aid supplies, a fire starter and headlamps.

Do not take chances while skiing in the woods or out of bounds. Simple bad landings on the trail can be disastrous when they happen off-trail. Go with people who will take what you are doing seriously and take care of each other. Respect the mountain and your friends.

Spend the Day Skiing, Not Walking
The Dip off the Jet Triple on Jay's eastern boundary are the only boundary woods Jay Peak promotes. A guided Dip tour is offered by Jay Peak Ski School. These woods lead to Route 242, but skiers have gone too far in either direction and experienced the long walk out.

The area with the longest searches, and where people have unintentionally spent the night, is the western boundary off of the Poma Line. This is a major drainage area for Jay Peak known as Black Falls. It is not known for good skiing. As the crow flies it’s at least 3 miles to the nearest home, which does not even have a phone, and an additional 3 miles to the main road.

The terrain is tight soft woods opening lower to hard woods with many brooks. There are logging roads at the bottom but they are often crossed by downed trees. This area is not steep enough to ski, and requires walking or slogging out. Lastly, the land where these roads end is private and posted against trespassing. Simply put, these are beautiful woods, though not great skiing, that end on private property. So let’s make nice with the neighbors.

The boundary woods beyond Beyond Beaver Pond Glade can lead you below the Cat Walk exit of the glade to a long walk out. This area is also wet and flat, if you are lucky you will come to the cross-country trails, which are easier to walk out on.

Woods are not opened or closed but trails are. Even though this is Jay Peak, where freedom reigns, we still follow conventional skiing guidelines and keep trails closed until they are ready for the public. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated by the Ski Patrol. We are not trying to rob you; we only have your safety in mind.

Smart Style
Parks work when people use their head and respect one another. To help promote park safety, Burton and the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) have created a program called Smart Style, which Jay Peak has implemented in its Terrain Park.
Smart Style is a cooperative effort to keep terrain parks alive for everyone who chooses to use them. It has three main messages:
 
Look before you leap
Scope around the jumps first, not over them. Know your landings are clear and clear yourself out of the landing area.
Easy style it
Start small and work your way up. (Inverted aerials not recommended).
Respect breeds respect
From the lift line through the Park.

Having a great Terrain Park is a group effort. So keep the Smart Style messages in mind and make your contribution to the experience.