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Mountain safety – Summer

Responsibility Code

The Mountain Biker’s Responsibility Code has been developed by the NSAA and has been adopted across the nation, with similar programs in Canada and Europe. It is the responsibility of every rider to know and follow the code. While riding at Brian Head, or any mountain bike park, you must always:

  1.  Stay in Control. You’re responsible for avoiding objects and people.
  2. Know your limits. Ride within your ability. Start small and work your way up. Walk features you are not familiar with prior to riding.
  3. Protect Yourself. Use an appropriate bike, helmet, and protective equipment. Helmets should meet mountain bike safety ratings. Brian Head recommends full face helmets, downhill-specific, full-suspension mountain bikes and protective padding.
  4. Inspect and maintain your equipment. Know your components, their operation, and condition prior to riding. If you are not familiar with something, have a qualified bike mechanic inspect your equipment.
  5. Be lift smart. Know how to load, ride and unload lifts safely. If you are not familiar, ask for help prior to loading.
  6. Inspect trials and features. Conditions change constantly; plan and adjust your rides accordingly.
  7. Obey signs and warning. Stay on marked trails only. Keep off closed trails and features. Ride only in the direction indicated.
  8. Be visible. Do not stop where you aren’t visible from above, or where you may obstruct a trail, feature, or landing.
  9. Look and yield to others. Look both ways and yield when approaching a crossing of a road or another trail. Use caution when overtaking, and yield to those ahead of you.
  10. Cooperate. If involved in or witness to an incident, exchange information with others involved and identify yourself to bike park staff..

Mountain Biking is an inherently risky sport that may lead to serious injury or death. Your knowledge, decisions, and actions contribute to your safety and that of other riders on the mountain. Brian Head is a high altitude, mountainous environment with rapidly changing weather, trails, and visibility.

Children on Chairlifts

  • Children under 3 years of age or shorter than 36 inches are not allowed on chairlifts for their own protection. Those under 6 years of age must be accompanied by an adult over 18 years of age.
  • Child carrying backpacks, strollers, or other devices are not allowed on chairlifts, nor are children carried in someone’s arms, on their lap, etc.

Injuries

In the event of an injury on the Mountain, Call Patrol with your location any time during operational hours at 435-223-0601. Outside the ski area, dial 911

  • Helmets are required for all riders in the Brian Head Bike Park. The Brian Head Bike Park constitutes all trails accessed via chairlift or on Brian Head Property. 
  • Helmets can be classified as Half-Shell (only covering the top half of your head) or Full-Face Helmets (partially covers in front of your face). Brian Head Resort recommends every rider wear a full-face style helmet and body armor when riding any of the trails in the bike park, including the green trail.
  • Be aware that wearing a helmet and padding does not guarantee safety or guard against all possible head, neck, or spinal injuries.
  • Helmets and Pads are available for rent in the Giant Steps Lodge first floor.

Helmets

Bikes

  • We strongly recommend that guests have appropriate gear for a downhill mountain bike park, like freeride/downhill full-suspension bikes. Helmets are required for every rider. We recommend every rider use a full-face style helmet.
  • Bikes and protective equipment are available for rent in the first floor of Giant Steps Lodge.
  • Electric pedal assisted bikes (E-Bikes) of any type or style are currently not permitted due to our usage permit with the Forest Service and non-motorized trail regulations. (See E-Bikes Section Below)

E-Bikes

Brian Head Resort Bike Park operates primarily within Dixie National Forest boundaries. The current Forest Service policy prohibits E-Bikes on all non-motorized trails. Therefore E-Bikes of any style or type are currently not allowed on Brian Head Resort’s Bike Park Trails or on the chairlifts. A guest may be allowed, at the Lift Operators discretion, to load the chairlift if, and only if, they can clearly demonstrate that the power source has been disconnected or removed and the bike has been entirely reduced to human pedal power only. The bike will not be allowed on the lift otherwise. Brian Head does not recommend using E-Bikes in the mountain bike park. Their weight makes them difficult to unload and control on downhill trails, and the guest needlessly risks damaging an expensive piece of equipment. Brian Head Resort does not allow uphill travel at any time and all Bike Park Trails are downhill style with very little pedaling. Prohibited uphill travel includes, but is not limited to hiking, biking or any other uphill traffic.

Weather and High Altitude

Brian Head Resort starts at 9,600 feet above sea level and rises to nearly 11,000 ft. We are right on the edge of the Colorado Plateau with quick changing weather patterns. It is advised that everyone bring extra layers and always have a wind-proof and water resistant layer. Temperatures drop rapidly as you ride up the chair, and snow or rain storms can develop much faster than most people realize.

  • People coming from lower elevations may experience altitude sickness. Signs and symptoms of altitude sickness may include headaches, fatigue, nausea, insomnia, and loss of appetite. If altitude sickness presents, the best way to treat altitude sickness is to go down in elevation, if possible. Be aware that high elevation can also accentuate existing health problems. If you have a respiratory or vascular illness, consult your physician before your trip. Seek medical assistance if problems persist or get worse. 
  • Ultra-Violet rays are more severe at higher elevations.  Protect your skin from the effects of the sun. Wear sunscreen rated at least 30 SPF or higher. Wear eye protection such as sunglasses or goggles. These should filter both UVA and UVB rays and be rated at 90%.  Eyes can sunburn just like your skin.
  • Heavy winds may knock trees or limbs down at any time. Be cautious of fallen trees, especially in the hours and days following heavy wind events. Report blocked trails to resort staff as soon as possible so we can mitigate any hazardous logs or limbs affecting trails.

Electronic Devices

We recommend guests do not ride with earbuds or other audio devices as they limit your ability to hear what is happening around you.

Animals & Wildlife

Since Brian Head operates on forest service land in a mountainous area, several animals may wander onto trails at any time. While rare, bear have been spotted around the resort. Badgers are territorial and vicious. Report sightings of dangerous animals to resort staff immediately. Smaller wildlife are more common like marmots, squirrels and chipmunks. Deer also frequent the area. These are still wild animals and should not be fed or approached. Please do not feed the wildlife. Additionally, several farmers have grazing rights nearby and cows, sheep and other livestock occasionally wander onto Brian Head’s Bike Park. While we do our best to escort them to a less populated area, animals can be stubborn and may be encountered anywhere on or near the resort.

Uphill Travel

Uphill travel of any kind is not allowed at the Brian Head Bike Park. The Vista hiking trail is included, and only downhill hiking is allowed. Use neighboring trails outside of the resort use area for cross country or uphill travel.

Dog Policy

Dogs are not allowed on chairlifts or trails and must be on a leash at all times on any part of Brian Head Resort property. A local town ordinance requires dogs to be on-leash anywhere in the town of Brian Head as well.

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