Mountain Policies & Safety Information
Uphill Travel Allowed At Your Own Risk.
Persons using the ski area for uphill travel assume all risks for their activities including route selection, stability analysis and all other actions related to uphill travel. Early/Late season & backcountry skiing/riding conditions exist, including thin cover, unmarked hazards and avalanches. Other risks include ongoing ski area operations, the possibility of stationary and/or moving equipment, on-snow vehicle traffic, winch cables, snow groomer ruts, berms and other area operation hazards. It is your responsibility to recognize and avoid these unmarked hazards. Terrain Park features if established are off limits.
During days of normal operations additional requirements include staying on the designated uphill travel routes designated on the Showdown trail map, stay off closed runs, and no dogs. Ski Patrol will clear the mountain daily at close of operations.
Showdown has no slope maintenance, rescue or liability obligations. Use of the ski area implies agreement of these terms and conditions.
Please park in the lower lot along the bank between upper & lower lots. Do not park at the lodge.
Your Responsibility Code:
Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.
You must prevent runaway equipment.
Read and obey all signs, warnings, and hazard markings.
Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
You must know how and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.
Winter sports involve risk of serious injury or death. Your knowledge, decisions and actions contribute to your safety and that of others. If you need help understanding the Code, please ask any ski area employee.
Avoiding Collisions so you can #RideAnotherD
Collisions are one of the most preventable accidents on the slopes. The easiest way to prevent a collision is to follow Your Responsibility Code, especially point number one: Ski and snowboard in control. But it can be difficult to communicate the importance of this to teenagers and those who consider themselves to be "experts." This video from the Ride Another Day initiative is meant to emphasize everyone's role in slope safety.
Tips for Avoiding Collisions
Complementing the Responsibility Code and it's 7 tenets, #RideAnotherDay promotes 3 actions every skier and rider can take to help keep themselves and those around safer on the slopes.
Be Ready
Be ready to slow down or avoid objects or other people at any time. Ski and ride in such a way that you are always able to control yourself regardless of conditions and avoid others and objects you may encounter on the run, groomed or otherwise.
Stay Alert
Stay alert to what’s going on around you, especially other skiers and riders. Being aware of those around and changing conditions will help you have a fun and safe day on the hill.
Plan Ahead
Ease up at blind spots, check uphill when merging onto trails, and give other skiers plenty of room when passing. Look out for spots on the run where traffic merges or you can't see what's coming next. If you are unfamiliar with a run, take it easy the first time down it and make note of places where you'll want to slow down, such as cat tracks and rollers. Also, give other skiers and riders lots or room, especially if you are passing them. There's plenty of space out there, so there's no need to crowd each other.
By doing these three things every run, you'll be helping keep the slopes safe and enjoyable, for you and everyone else.
Snow Immersion Suffocation
(SIS hazards)
Visit www.deepsnowsafety.org for more information on Tree Well and Snow Immersion Suffocation (SIS).
Skiing and snowboarding off the groomed runs and in deep powder is one of the most exciting and appealing parts of our sport. However, if you decide to leave the groomed trails you are voluntarily accepting the risk of a deep snow immersion accident. A deep snow, or tree well immersion accident occurs when a skier or rider falls into an area of deep unconsolidated snow and becomes immobilized and suffocates. Deaths resulting from these kinds of accidents are referred to as a SIS harzards or Snow Immersion Suffocation.
Park Smart Terrain Park Safety Program Messages:
START SMALL - Work your way up. Build your skills.
MAKE A PLAN - Every feature. Every time.
ALWAYS LOOK - Before you drop.
RESPECT - The features and other users.
TAKE IT EASY - Know your limits. Land on your feet.
Freestyle Terrain Safety
The National Ski Areas Association and Burton Snowboards would like to welcome you to the "Park Smart" Terrain Park Safety initiative. Park Smart is a cooperative effort with the help of the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) and National Ski Patrol (NSP) that emphasizes the proper use of terrain parks while delivering a unified message.
The Park Smart video below, along with TerrainParkSafety.org, work together to emphasize the importance of safety in terrain parks across the country. We are currently updating www.TerrainParkSafety.org with the most recent resources and information for the Park Smart program.
Lift Safety Tips
Riding the ski lift can be one of the best parts of the day - the views are beautiful, your legs get a rest, and you get to catch up with friends, family, or make a new friend! But, it's important (and part of Your Responsibility Code) to know how to load, ride and unload all lifts safely. Not sure what to do at a lift? Ask an attendant or ski patroller for help. Learning how to ride the lift is also one of the features of a ski lesson, and another reason it's worth discovering snow with a pro.
Be familiar with the type of lift you are riding, and ask for help if you need it.
Before loading, remove backpacks and secure loose items. Remove pole straps from wrists.
Look over your shoulder to watch the chair approach.
Sit all the way in the chair, with your back to the seat rest.
If the lift has a restraint bar, wait until everyone is seated, and slowly reach up and lower the bar. Do not attempt to lower the bar if you cannot reach it! Adults should always help kids to lower the bar.
Be aware of your surroundings while riding the lift. If you drop something, let it fall! You can always ask ski patrol for help retrieving the lost item.
As you approach the top terminal, prepare to raise the bar. Look for signs advising you to do so to help with your timing.
Helmet Safety
Helmets can help mitigate head injuries on the slopes.
Bonus: they also keep your head warm! Not all ski areas require helmets, but it is a good idea to outfit your child with one, and wear one yourself. While wearing a helmet is a personal choice, you would be setting a good example for the young ones in your family if you chose to wear one while skiing or riding.
Helmet Stats
Approximately 84% of skiers and snowboarders in the U.S. wear helmets
Nearly 100% of kids age 9 and under wear helmets. Many ski areas include helmets in a kids' rental package, and some may even require children to wear one in a lesson (for example, the state of New Jersey requires all kids under age 18 to wear a helmet while skiing or snowboarding).
A peer-reviewed scientific study found that potentially serious head injuries in skiing decreased as helmet usage increased. Helmets have been found to reduce the severity of head injuries and almost completely prevent lacerations.
Drone Policy
Out of safety concerns for guests, employees, and resort property, as well as concerns for individual privacy, Showdown Montana prohibits the operation or use of unmanned aerial systems, or drones, by the general public – including recreational users and hobbyists – without the prior written authorization from the Resort. This prohibition includes drones used for filming or videotaping, as well as any drone use by media or journalists operating above or within Showdown Montana boundaries. This prohibition on drone operations or use extends to any drones launched or operated from Resort property, as well as drones launched from private property outside of the Resort boundaries. Please contact a resort representative if you have any questions or if you seek prior authorization to operate any aerial drones. Any authorized operation of aerial drones may be governed by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and regulations, local law enforcement, U.S. Forest Service rules, as well as those policies separately established by this Resort, which may include certification, training, insurance coverage, indemnification requirements, and waivers or releases of liability. Any violation of this policy may involve suspension of your skiing or snowboarding privileges, or the revocation of your season pass, as well as confiscation of any drone equipment, and may subject violators to any damages, including, but not limited to, damages for violations of privacy and/or physical or personal injuries or property damage, as well as regulatory fines and legal fees.
Unmanned aerial drone use by guests or the media is prohibited without prior written approval of Showdown Montana.
Showdown Montana Equipment Use Policy
Showdown requires 72 hours notice for approval on adaptive equipment.
Showdown is committed to providing persons with qualifying disabilities the full and equal enjoyment of its goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages and accommodations. Showdown recognizes that no policy can address every possible scenario which may arise or every individual’s specific needs. Showdown allows the use of adaptive devices or other ‘manually-powered mobility aids’ designed and manufactured primarily for use by individuals who have disabilities, including without limitation, mono skis, bi skis, outriggers and sit-skis. If your preferred device is not listed, please contact us. Due to Showdown’s limited staff, Showdown would request that any person requesting an exception or modification to the above policy contact Showdown 72 hours prior to the date of your arrival. Contact can be made at 406-236-5522 or email aj@showdownmontana.com
Showdown Montana allows conventional ski equipment, tele-mark or cross country equipment and snowboard equipment when used in accordance with the rules and regulations of the ski resort. Conventional Ski equipment will have metal edges and device to prevent runaways.
A person with a disability is allowed to utilize any specialized equipment that has been designed and manufactured solely for the use by individuals who have disabilities, for example on snow mono-skis, bi-skis, outriggers and sit-skis. A person using specialized equipment must be able to safely load and unload the lift, either independently or with the assistance of a companion.
Snow Bikes must be inspected for safety and compatibility by a qualified Showdown staff. In general, Snow Bikes must have skis on the device and rider, be able to maintain directional and speed control, and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. Most mountain bike conversions will not fit requirements. All Snow Bike riders are required to purchase a ten dollar certification permit.
The following devices are examples of devices with incompatibility and safety concerns regarding the ability of individuals to maintain directional and speed control and other provisions mandated by the Skier’s Responsibility Code and Montana State Law. Plastic Snowboards, Boot Skis, Ski bobs, Snow Scoots, Toboggans, Sleds, Platters, Inner-Tubes, Bodysleds, Airboards, Kayaks and Hang Gliders.
Drone use is prohibited except as specified in the Showdown Montana drone policy.
Showdown Montana reserves the right to disallow other devices not listed if it determines there is a safety concern for our users on allowed devices.
Showdown Montana has determined that the use of any power-driven devices or vehicles, including power-driven mobility devices or vehicles used by persons with disabilities, would conflict with the ski resort’s safety requirements necessary for the reasonably safe operation of our on-slope activities. These safety concerns include that the use of the devices on the slopes may expose the user and skiers/snowboarders to a safety hazard, such as collisions with downhill skiers and snowboarders. Power-driven devices are allowed in the parking lot and base area where foot traffic is permitted.
These safety requirements are based on actual risks and are not intended to be discriminatory in any way.