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Summer Safety & Risk Awareness

​Mountain biking, hiking and other summer activities at Sir Sam's Ski/Ride involve the risk of injury. It is important to stay informed as a visitor and always follow the Responsibility Codes posted online and around the property.

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Sir Sam's Ski/Ride is located on private property. Any persons who enter the property and use the trails, tower, tunnel or other facilities without obtaining a valid trail pass will be considered trespassing and may be prosecuted.

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exclusion of liability

​The use of ski area premises and facilities and participation in activities at ski areas involves various risks, dangers and hazards. It is a condition of your use of the premises and facilities and your participation in these activities that you assume all risk of personal injury, death or property loss resulting from any cause whatsoever, including negligence, breach of contract or breach of any duty of care on the part of the ski area operator. Your legal responsibility as a user of the ski area premises and facilities or participant in activities at the ski area is explained in the following notice, which you will see posted at the ski area.

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Summer activities including hiking and mountain biking involve various risks, dangers and hazards including, but not limited to:

  • boarding, riding and disembarking conveyor lifts, chairlifts, or motor vehicles;

  • unpredictable and or variable weather conditions;

  • falling trees and limbs;

  • loss of balance or control;

  • slipping, tripping and falling, including falling from heights;

  • marked and unmarked obstacles;

  • natural or manmade features or objects;

  • changes or variations in terrain or water conditions, surface and subsurface conditions;

  • rocks of various sizes, trees, tree stumps, exposed roots, low branches, downed timber, cliffs, rock drops, holes and potholes;

  • wet and/or slippery surfaces and features;

  • debris on trails;

  • collision with other participants, or other vehicles, structures or property;

  • encounters with wildlife and domestic animals, including bears, dogs, or insects;

  • acts of other participants;

  • carelessness and misjudgments on the part of other participants or staff;

  • entanglement with equipment, objects or other participants;

  • equipment malfunction or breakdown;

  • negligent design and/or construction of features and trails;

  • cuts, bruises, sprains, fractures, fatigue, overexertion, aggravation of pre-existing injuries, conditions or congenital anomalies;

  • failure to act safely or within one’s own ability or to stay within designated areas;

  • negligence of other persons; and NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE RESORT OR ITS STAFF

Onsite Emergencies

Sir Sam's Ski/Ride does not have Ski Patrol onsite outside of the winter season. In the case of an emergency, call 911. The hill is located at 1054 Liswood Road in Eagle Lake. During office hours, there are staff onsite with first aid training that can be reached by calling the office at (705) 754-2298 ext.210.

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Take note of the trail that you are on before beginning your ride or hike. If you are able to, make your way to the tower, chalet, or nearest chairlift tower to indicate your location to onsite staff or emergency services.

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mountain biking

Mountain biking involves the risk of injury. For the safety of everyone on the hill, all riders must adhere to the Mountain Bike Responsibility Code. Before riding, review the mountain bike checklist to ensure your bike is in good, working condition. Sir Sam's Ski/Ride recommends full suspension mountain bikes and proper safety equipment, especially when riding black/advanced trails. Helmets are mandatory. Mountain bikes with hand brakes are highly recommended.

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It is important to follow the Ride Smart steps before riding every trail during every visit. Trails can change daily, pre-ride and re-ride before speeding up on trails. Obey signs and warnings. Stay on marked trails. Do not cut switchbacks and keep off of closed areas. 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.

mountain biking Trail Classification

Green​ - Easiest

Gentle climbs and descents with obstacles such as rocks, gravel, bridges, and pot holes. Must have ridden a bike before using these trails.

 

 

Blue - Intermediate

Challenging riding with steep slopes and/or obstacles, possibly narrow trail or elevated skills park with poor traction. Requires off road riding experience.

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Black - Advanced

These trails and skills centers have a mixture of long steep descents, loose trail surfaces, numerous natural and man-made obstacles including jumps, ramps, elevated features, berms, drops, rocks, and other terrain variations.

Hiking

Hiking involves the risk of injury. The hiking trail contains hazards including but not limited to roots, small and large rocks, uneven terrain, and loose terrain. Closed toe shoes are highly recommended. Hikers must stay on the designated hike trail (marked with ski poles). Dogs must be on leash when on property.

Best Practices for Hikers

  • Never hike alone

  • Tell someone your plans and when you expect to return

  • Stay hydrated

  • Protect yourself from the sun with a hat, sunscreen, and UV eye protection

  • Save a copy of the map electronically on your cell phone

  • Be aware of your surroundings by looking around and taking note of landmarks that can help your navigation

  • Never approach or feed animals

  • Respect other visitors and maintain a quiet environment

  • Be aware and prepared for changing weather conditions

  • Pick up after yourself - do not leave any food or garbage behind

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Tunnel Safety

Boarding and riding the conveyor lift (tunnel) requires patience. 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 tunnel.

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The tunnel operates one-way only. You must mountain bike or hike down the hill to return to the chalet. Dogs, strollers, and wheelchairs are prohibited. 

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How to Use the Tunnel

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1) Look & Wait

Move up to the marked line and wait your turn. There is an orange indicator within the tunnel that the person in front of you must pass before you are able to proceed. 

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2) Load & Stand

Carefully step onto the conveyor. If you are loading with a bike, roll your front tire onto the conveyor and step forward. All passengers must stay standing for the entire ride. Do not walk while on the conveyor.

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3) Unload & Leave

At the end of the tunnel, step over the red line onto the off ramp. Move to the side to allow others behind you space to unload safely. If you are unsure how to properly exit the conveyor, let the lift attendant know and they can stop the conveyor for a safe exit.

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Tower Safety

The Eagle View Observation Tower has a maximum capacity of 50 people at any time and is 18.3m (60ft) tall. To ensure the safety and enjoyment of all guests, the following guidelines must be adhered to by all visitors of the tower. Entry to the tower without a valid pass is strictly prohibited and will be considered trespassing.

  • Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult

  • No running, pushing, or roughhousing

  • No climbing on or over the railings

  • No large bags or backpacks

  • Respect other visitors and maintain a quiet environment

  • Be aware and prepared for changing weather conditions - the tower may close without notice due to severe weather events

  • Closed toe shoes are recommended

  • Sir Sam's Ski/Ride is not responsible for dropped or lost items

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Chairlift Safety

Outside of the ski/snowboard season, our chairlifts may operate for foot passengers. It is important to follow all safety guidelines below and the instructions provided by the lift attendants when riding the chairlift. All passengers must have the physical ability and know how to safely load, ride, and unload the lift. If you are unsure whether you should ride a lift, ask the ticket sales attendant or lift operator.

 

Dogs, strollers, and walkers are prohibited. Closed toe shoes are recommended. Loose clothing and items must be secured. Children under four years of age must be accompanied by an adult in a 1:1 ratio. Sir Sam's Ski/Ride is not responsible for dropped or lost items.

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How to Use the chairlift

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1) Look Back

Move up to the marked line and wait your turn. Watch for the approaching chair behind you.

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2) Load & Lower

Sit on the chairlift and lift your feet. Ask the lift attendant if you are unsure how to properly get on the chair. Lower the bar in front of you. Do not swing or bounce on the chair during the ride.

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3) Lift & Leave

At the end of the ride, lift the bar and lift your feet. Walk off the chair straight ahead then move to the side to allow others behind you space to unload safely. If you are unsure how to properly unload off the chairlift, let the lift attendant know and they can stop the lift for a safe exit.

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Drugs & Alcohol

The use of drugs & alcohol is strictly prohibited on trails, lifts, and the tower. Any alcohol onsite must be purchased through Sir Sam's Ski/Ride and consumed in designated areas inside the chalet and on the patio. Smoking of any kind (including tobacco, marijuana, e-cigarettes and vaporizers) is strictly prohibited anywhere on property outside of the designated smoking area in the main parking lot.

Weather

Be prepared and aware of current and changing weather conditions. In the case of severe weather events including but not limited to heavy rain, heavy winds and thunderstorms, Sir Sam's Ski/Ride may be required to close trails, lifts, and/or the tower during posted hours of operation to ensure the safety of all staff and visitors. After severe weather events, it is possible for trails and conditions to be impacted and/or altered. Speed and traction on mountain bike trails also varies depending on how dry or wet the trails are. 

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Stay hydrated when hiking or riding and be aware of heat exhaustion. It is recommended that all visitors wear sunscreen, UV eye protection, and breathable clothing to during hot days to help stay cool. ​

Wildlife Awareness

Haliburton County is home to many species of wildlife found across southern Ontario. These can include but are not limited to bears, deer, foxes, rabbits, raccoons, squirrels, snakes as well as insects such as mosquitoes and ticks.​

Many animals call the hill home and roam peacefully however they may become violent if provoked. Do not feed or approach wildlife. Pick up after yourself and do not leave any food or food waste behind as it can attract bears. Bear encounters may require different actions based on the behaviour the bear is exhibiting. Visit Ontario's Bear Wise website before visiting Sir Sam's Ski/Ride for more information about bears in Ontario and what to do if you encounter a bear.

Motor Vehicles

All motor vehicles including but not limited to ATVs, UTVs, motorcycles, dirt bikes, cars, trucks, and buses are to remain in the designated parking areas when onsite unless given permission by management to access the property outside of the parking areas.  

Drone Policy

Sir Sam's Ski/Ride prohibits the operation or use of unmanned aerial vehicle systems or aerial drones by the general public including recreational users and hobbyists. This prohibition on drone use extends to any drones launched or operated from Sir Sam's Ski/Ride property, as well as drones launched from private property outside of the property's boundaries. 

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PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEOGRAPHY Consent

When entering Sir Sam's Ski/Ride property, photography, audio, and video recording may occur. Pictures and videos may be taken by a representative of Sir Sam's Ski/Ride or any media outlet that may be present.
 

By entering the property, you consent to such recording media and its release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction of any and all recorded media of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in perpetuity in connection with Sir Sam's Ski/Ride and its initiatives, including but not limited to its use on websites, on social media sites, and advertising.
 

By entering the premises, you waive and release any claims you may have related to the use of recorded media of you on Sir Sam's Ski/Ride property, including, without limitation, any right to inspect or approve the picture, video or audio recording of you, any claims for invasion of privacy, violation of the right of publicity, defamation, and copyright infringement or for any fees for use of such record media. You understand that all photography, filming and/or recording will be done in reliance on this consent.
 

If you do not consent to these photography/videography terms, do not enter the premises.

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