Safety - Mount Washington Alpine Resort

Patrollers, First Aid & Bike Safety.

Summer Safety &
Risk Awareness

Biking, hiking and other summer activities that take place at MountWashington Alpine Resort involve the risk of injury. It's important to stay informed as a guest and always follow the Responsibility Codes.

Bike Park Safety Information

Mountain biking on the trails of the Mount Washington Bike Park is demanding on both the bike and body. Please follow the safety information on this page to help you get the most out of your day.

ALL RIDERS, PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

Injuries are a common and expected part of mountain-biking. We strongly suggest that full face helmets, full length gloves, biking armor and a full suspension bike be used in the Bike Park. If you are new to mountain-biking at Mount Washington, or the Parent or Guardian of a younger rider, please familiarize yourself with the bike park and the mountain-biking activities we offer. Introductory mountain-biking lessons and beginner mountain-biking terrain are available and recommended. More challenging terrain and features should not be attempted unless the rider has the appropriate skills, experience and equipment to effectively negotiate such trail sections.

Bike Park Policies

AGE POLICY
  • Children 5 yrs and under are not permitted in the bike park.
  • Children 6-12 are required to be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian (19yrs or older) when riding in the bike park.
  • Children 13-15 are strongly recommended to be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian (19yrs or older) when riding in the bike park.

The parent or guardian must sign the bike park waiver for the child at the time of purchase at the ticket kiosk.

BIKE SIZE
20-inch wheels are the minimum wheel size to load on our bike carriers safely.
BRAKE RECOMMENDATION

All bikes should have one functioning brake per wheel. Disc brakes are recommended. Steep grades necessitate disc brakes for adequate stopping power. Cantilever brakes will increase the fatigue factor as more effort will be required to maintain control.

SHOCK RECOMMENDATION

Full suspension bikes are recommended to navigate the terrain you will expect to find on the trails. Ensure that your suspension is tuned properly and is set up for your body weight and riding ability.

Ride Smart

SLOW DOWN BEFORE YOU SPEED UP

Crashes can happen on your first lap. Ride the trail multiple times to get familiar with the features and equipment you’re on so you can confidently push your limits without pushing your threshold. Jumping skills are required for FreeRide trails.

PRE-RIDE

Warm up the brain and body and inspect the trail at low speed.

RE-RIDE

Lap a trail a few times and get to know the flow of the features.

FREE-RIDE

Start small and work your way up to faster speeds and larger features.

Information for Parents

The Mount Washington bike park is a significantly different experience from cross country riding. The trails require constant physical and mental effort in order for all riders to maintain control.

LIFTS

Boarding the lift requires significant strength when loading a bike and children may require assistance. If you are unfamiliar with the bike loading process, please let our staff know and they can walk you through a demonstration before proceeding to the lift.

EQUIPMENT

The bike park trails are specifically designed for full suspension mountain bikes. The trails are rocky, bumpy and become much more difficult without high quality suspension. Without full suspension, fatigue becomes a factor much sooner. The steep grades necessitate disc brakes for adequate stopping power. Cantilever brakes will increase the fatigue factor as more effort will be required to maintain control. All bike park participants should ride a properly sized bike and should be able to stand over the seat with their feet flat on the ground. A bike that is too large or with a high seat post increases the risk of injury. Jr DH rentals are available at the Rental Shop and our rental tech will help ensure your child is fitted with the right size bike.

CLOTHING

Protective clothing and equipment is mandatory for young riders. The best protection from abrasion requires a properly fitted full-faced helmet, gloves, long pants, long sleeves, leg armour, arm armour and solid running shoes.

TRAILS

The level of risk increases with the level of difficulty. Black trails often have significant drops and jumps that require skill and experience to navigate. Many difficult trails have a "gate-keeper" feature at the top designed to keep riders with insufficient skills off trails that will be beyond their ability, do not ride around these features. Young riders become a hazard to other riders if they are unable to ride a trail or move out of the way. Children should be accompanied by an adult at all times and should be monitored for fatigue regularly.

What Bike to Ride

Riding the Bike Park requires a different type of mountain bike than you might be used to. Mountain bikes with full suspension with the right geometry and components for downhill riding will make your day in the park safe and fun.

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DH or Downhill

Downhill-specific bikes are intended for all levels of riders who want to enjoy the most out of the Bike Park. A full suspension, downhill-specific bike like the Rocky Mountain Maiden Park handles the Bike Park’s technical and free-ride terrain the best and is specifically designed for descending, not ascending. We recommend this type of bike for any level of rider in the bike park.

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All-Mountain

All-mountain bikes combine full suspension in the front and rear with a more upright design allowing riders to descent yet ascend when needed. At the minimum, bike park riders should have an all-mountain, full-suspension bike, similar to the Rocky Mountain Altitude 30, which is best suited for beginner and intermediate terrain only. Please note, uphill riding is not permitted in the bike park.

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Cross Country

Cross-Country (Recommended for riding our XC Finger Trail) – Cross-country bikes generally have less suspension than most mountain bikes, making them ideal for pedaling long distances.Most XC bikes are hard-tail (no rear suspension) and not ideal or recommended for riding on our downhill trail network.

Mountain Bike Checklist

BEFORE YOU RIDE
  1. Have you purchased your ticket?
  2. Are you familiar with the bike park signage?
  3. Do you have hydration?
  4. Do you have a trail map?
  5. Do you have a mountain bike that is in good working order?
  6. Do you have protective gear?
Please note our bike carriers can only accommodate Mt bike Wheels 20 inches or larger
BIKE RESPONSIBILITY CODE

Mountain biking involves elements of risk that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce.
Please adhere to the responsibility code, and share a safe experience with others.

  • Ride in control and within your ability level. You must be able to avoid other people or objects.
  • Stay off the lifts and trails if your ability is impaired by drugs, alcohol, or fatigue.
  • All riders must wear a helmet. Other protective equipment is strongly recommended.
  • Inspect your bike or have it checked by a qualified bike mechanic before you ride.
  • Be sure to have the physical dexterity, ability, and knowledge to safely load, ride, and unload lifts. Ask the lift attendant for assistance if you need it.
  • Be aware of changing conditions on trails and features. Inspect features before use and throughout the day.
  • Stay on marked trails. Obey all signs and warnings. Do not cut switchbacks. Keep off closed areas.
  • Avoid riders ahead of you. They have the right of way.
  • Look uphill and yield to other riders when entering a trail or starting downhill.
  • Do not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above.
  • If you are involved in or witness a collision or accident, you must identify yourself to the Bike Patrol.
  • Do not feed, provoke, or approach wildlife.

General Information and Safety

NO SMOKING ON ANY TRAILS OR WHILE RIDING THE LIFT

  • Mt. Washington is a smoke-free resort.
  • No smoking is permitted anywhere in the Alpine.

More information about our smoking policy? Smoke Free
RIDING OUR SUMMER LIFTS

Tots 3+ Permitted to Ride the Scenic Chair.

To ride the chairlift, children must be able to aid in self-rescue in the unlikely event of an emergency. We Appreciate Your Cooperation For Your Safety.

WILDLIFE AWARENESS

An encounter with wildlife is something that visitors may experience when hiking in the Alpine. Please remember that you are a guest in their home territory! Bears, Cougars, and other animals are beautiful creatures and deserve our respect.

If you encounter a bear:

  • Do not throw food or food waste into the forest, it can attract bears, and then the bear gets into trouble.
  • Do not feed wildlife.
  • Bike in groups and make lots of noise.
  • Do not feed, provoke, or approach wildlife.
  • Do not run: Bears can easily outrun humans. By running, you may trigger an attack. Pick up, small children. Whenever possible stay in a group. Back away slowly and speak softly.
  • Give the bear space: Back away slowly and talk in a soft voice. Do not approach the bear or make eye contact.
  • Leave the area or make a wide detour: If you cannot leave, wait until the bear moves out of the way and ensure that the bear has an escape route.
  • If the bear rears up on its hind legs: It is curious and trying to see you or catch your scent better. It is not a sign of aggression. Back away slowly and talk softly.
  • Watch for aggressive behaviours: A bear may display aggression by swinging its head from side to side; making vocalizations such as huffs, snorts, whoops, or moans; displaying teeth or claws; jaw popping; swatting at the ground; staring with eye contact; panting; or laying its. ears back. These behaviours usually indicate that the bear is stressed, acting defensively, and asking for more space. Attacks rarely follow, but this is a warning to leave the area.

If you meet a cougar:

  • Never approach a cougar. Although cougars will normally avoid a confrontation, all cougars are unpredictable. Cougars feeding on a kill may be dangerous.
  • Always give a cougar an avenue of escape.
  • Stay calm. Talk to the cougar in a confident voice.
  • Pick all children up off the ground immediately. Children frighten easily and their rapid movements may provoke an attack.
  • Do not run. Try to back away from the cougar slowly. Sudden movement or flight may trigger an instinctive attack.
  • Do not turn your back on the cougar. Face the cougar and remain upright.
  • Do all you can to enlarge your image. Don’t crouch down or try to hide. Pick up sticks or branches and wave them about.
  • If a cougar behaves aggressively, arm yourself with a large stick, throw rocks, speak loudly and firmly. Convince the cougar that you are a threat, not prey.
  • If a cougar attacks, fight back! Many people have survived cougar attacks by fighting back with anything, including rocks, sticks, bare fists, and fishing poles.
Wildlife on Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island
Pets

Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash and under control at all times and are not allowed off-leash in the Nordic and Alpine areas. Dogs must be on a leash at all times in the Forbidden Plateau core area (Paradise Meadows). During the summer and winter seasons, dogs must be on a leash and are not allowed in the Bike Park and only on designated Nordic Trails. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.

Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

Pets are not permitted on any of our chairlifts or surface lifts, thank you for understanding.
Learn More

Drone Use

As drones will grow in popularity we anticipate the request for use to become more prevalent in the years to come. As regulations and drone registration rules change we may have to adjust our policies. 
The authorization for any usage on Resort property will require pre-approval with advanced notice. 
Some guidelines for use are as follows;

  • Never during normal daily operating hours on any runs that are open to the public.
  • With approval, may be used at special events but not over people; or within a close distance of a ropeway
  • With approval, may be used at Nordic but not over people
  • With approval, may be used at Special Events in the Summer
Contact media@mountwashington.ca and expect a response in 2-5 business days.
The Mountain Dispatch Operation Updates

The Mtn Dispatch Updates: WE'RE CLOSED

Stay updated on what's happening around Mount Washington Alpine Resort. Thanks for another great summer! Mountain is now CLOSED to the public until our Winter Season begins on December 13th, 2024.
MTN UPDATES

The Daily Dispatch Operation Updates

Daily summer operations have come to an end at Mount Washington; thanks for another great summer season!

View full details and hours of operation here

Updated: 2024-10-12 - 23:34 PM
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