National Ski Patrol, Central Division
Western Michigan Region
Tony Wolfer, Region Director
Contacts: Region Division National Subunits Ski Areas Partners
Region Activities: Awards Banquet Calendar Elections Finance Governance Legal Maps Meetings Members’ Rights Newsletters P&P Swap Web Site Usage
Programs: Alpine CPR/AED Instructor Development MTR OEC Senior
2009 Central Division Fall Meeting 2009
Mackinac Island - A Timeless Tradition
The Northern Michigan Region invites you to mark your calendar and plan on attending the Central Division Fall Meeting on September 11, 12, and 13, 2009. Come and join us at the Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island for three days of ski patrol family fun. The theme is “A Timeless Tradition of Snow - Fun – Family. The committee is planning events for educational sessions and family fun, as well as the usual Central Division business meetings and the awards banquet.
Northern Michigan Region Web Site
2009 Fall Central Division Meeting - Mackinac Island. Michigan
2009 Region Awards
Merit Star – Green: R. Scott Swanson
Merit Star – Purple: Daniel King
Merit Star – Purple: James Heethuis
Merit Star – Yellow: James Smith
National Appointment #10958: Dayle Hadden
NSP Patroller Education Conference 2009, Snowbird, Utah,
Patroller Challenge, 4th Place - Bob Anderson, John Donnelly, Don Smith
Region Outstanding Alpine Patrol Large: Crystal Mountain
Region Outstanding Instructor Alpine: Patrick Mulvihill
Region Outstanding Instructor OEC: Dani Doolittle
Region Outstanding Patroller Alpine: John Donnelly
Region Outstanding Patroller Auxiliary: Thomas Mulvihill
Special Region Award – Outstanding Service as Assistant Region Director: Gregg Hoppe
2008 Michigan Ski Safety Rules for
Operating Snowmobiles on Ski Slopes
On September 25, 2008, Michigan adopted a new rule regarding the use of snowmobiles on ski slopes, runs, and trails. The new Administrative Rule is: 2008 Amendment - R408.62 Regarding Motorized Vehicles .
The Ski Area must have a written policy that addresses:
► Training required for anyone to operate an authorized vehicle on open ski slopes, runs, or trails;
► Recommended routes for motorized vehicles to follow when used on open ski slopes, runs, or trails;
► Circumstances under which a motorized vehicle may be used on open ski slopes, runs, or trails; and
► Circumstances under which the required alarm must be utilized.
To operate a snowmobile, an operator must:
► Be a least 18 years old;
► Posse a valid driver’s license;
► Complete mandatory training provide by the ski area that includes safe use of motorized vehicles on a ski slopes, runs, or trails when skiers are present, as established in the ski areas’ written policies;
► Whenever possible, give skiers the right-of-way;
► Operate a vehicle at a rate of speed not greater than is reasonable for the conditions;
► Not operate a snowmobile … in a careless or negligent manner likely to endanger any person or property;
► Not operate a snowmobile … in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property; and
► Not operate a privately owned motorized vehicles.
Patrollers must also know the following regulations and risk management matters. These are requirements of the Michigan Ski Area Safety Act and the General Rules of the Michigan Ski Safety Board, not the National Ski Patrol.
► Area patrols and patrollers must have written authorization from the ski area to transport toboggans up the chair lifts and rope tows. It may also be advisable for the ski area to have a written plan and training program for transporting toboggans uphill. Michigan General Rule §R 408.94 (Rule 34).
► If notified, a patroller must record the name and address of individuals involved in an accident causing an injury to another person, or causing an injury to himself or herself. This information should be attached to the areas incident report. MCL §408.343.
► Patrollers must know the duties required of skiers by the Michigan SASA, which also applies to patrollers. MCL §408.341 and MCL §408.342.
► Ski area should have written chairlift evacuation plan in their patrol rooms.
For more Michigan ski safety rules, refer to the following:
Michigan Ski Area Safety Act - Skier Notice
Michigan Ski Area Safety Board - General Rules
Michigan Ski Area Safety Board Rules – R408.62
2008 Amendment - R408.62 Regarding Motorized Vehicles
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© Copyright 2008, Western Michigan Region, National Ski Patrol System, Inc.
Web Site Editor: Larry Klose, lklose@charter.net
Internet Publisher: Network Solutions, LLC
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