​Opening day December 13th (weather dependent).
Winter Safety & Risk Awareness
​Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and other winter activities at Sir Sam's Ski/Ride involve the risk of injury. It is important to stay informed as a visitor, adhere to the Responsibility Codes posted online and around the property, and use common sense and personal awareness to ensure all staff and visitors have an enjoyable experience at the hill.
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Sir Sam's Ski/Ride is located on private property. Any persons who enter the property and use the lifts or trails without obtaining a valid lift pass will be considered trespassing and may be prosecuted.
Quick Links
Onsite Emergencies
Sir Sam's Ski/Ride has a team of volunteer ski patrollers that are trained annually in advanced first aid and undergo on-hill training in areas such as lift evacuation, incident scene management and toboggan training. Ski patrol is on duty from when the hill opens until the chairlift stops operating for the day.
To dispatch ski patrol:
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Call (705) 754-2298 ext. 280
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Visit the nearest lift attendant
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Visit the Snow School desk
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.
Skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing involve various risks, dangers and hazards including, but not limited to the following:
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boarding, riding and disembarking ski lifts and conveyor lifts;
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changing weather conditions;
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avalanches;
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exposed rock, earth, ice, and other natural objects;
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trees, tree wells, tree stumps and forest deadfall;
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the condition of snow or ice on or beneath the surface;
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variations in the terrain which may create blind spots or areas of reduced visibility;
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variations in the surface or sub-surface, including changes due to man-made or artificial snow;
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variable and difficult conditions;
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natural and man-made objects;
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freestyle terrain and other recreational features;
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streams, creeks, and exposed holes in the snow pack above streams or creeks;
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cliffs; crevasses;
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snowcat roads, road-banks or cut-banks;
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collision with lift towers, fences, snow making equipment, snow grooming equipment, snowcats, snowmobiles or other vehicles, equipment or structures;
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encounters with domestic and wild animals including dogs and bears;
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collision with other persons;
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loss of balance or control;
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slips, trips and falls;
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accidents during snow school lessons;
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negligent first aid;
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failure to act safely or within one’s own ability or to stay within designated areas;
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negligence of other persons; and NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE OPERATOR
Basic Safety and Alpine Responsibility Code
Skiing and snowboarding involve the risk of injury. For the safety of everyone on the hill, all skiers and boarders must adhere to the Alpine Responsibility Code. Before skiing or riding, ensure your gear is in good, working condition. Below are some tips and additional safety rules to ensure all visitors and staff have a great day at the hill:​
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​​Helmets are highly recommended when skiing and riding and are mandatory during all snow school lessons and programs. For more information about the importance of wearing helmets and tips for helmet sizing visit the Canadian Ski Council's website.
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No foot traffic on the hill. You must have full ski or snowboard equipment on to be on the hill including past the blue line in the beginner area. Foot traffic becomes hazardous as without equipment, pedestrians are more prone to slips and falls on elevated and snow covered terrain and can impede the path of other skiers and riders on the hill.
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Glade skiing is prohibited. You must stay on marked trails.
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The use of toboggans including GT racers, crazy carpets, and flying saucers is not permitted anywhere on the hill.
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Ski boots do not always offer good traction when walking in snow. Exercise caution around our chalet, parking lots and when turning corners.
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Skiing or riding on closed runs and areas is strictly prohibited. Observe and obey all posted signs and warnings.
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The hill is closed outside of chairlift operating hours. The hill is unsafe to be on when closed and anyone found will be charged with trespassing. Grooming and snowmaking are processes that use heavy equipment and our staff will not be expecting anyone to be in their path after hours.
Collision Safety
The hill is shared by skiers and riders of all different ages, abilities and sizes. Your awareness of those around you, of the surrounding environment, as well as practicing responsible skiing and riding, are the best ways to reduce the risk of a collision between you and another skier or with an object. Always stay in control of your speed when on the hill. Be ready - stay alert - plan ahead.
Ride Another Day
Five year-old Elise Johnson was just learning to ski when an out of control rider struck and killed her. Elise's parents, Kelli and Chauncy Johnson, wanted to help prevent such accidents from befalling other families. The Johnson family generously offered a donation to create the #RideAnotherDay campaign in partnership with the NSAA. The campaign encourages awareness, responsibility and common sense to reduce the risk of on-mountain collisions between skiers and riders.
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View the Johnson's story here and learn how you can reduce the risk of a collision on the hill.
Ski & Snowboard Relative Trail Classification
​The trail difficulty rating system is a relative system that is valid only at this area. A Green Circle, Blue Square or Black Diamond trail at Sir Sam's Ski/Ride is not necessarily the same as a similarly rated trail at another area. Sir Sam's Ski/Ride has three trail classifications based on trail difficulty. Skiers and riders should work their way up, beginning with the easiest trails, no matter what their ability level may be, until they are familiar with the trails at the area.
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Green Circle
Beginner/Easiest
Blue Square
Intermediate/More Difficult
Black Diamond
Advanced/Most Difficult
Chairlift Safety
It is important to follow all safety guidelines and the instructions provided by the lift attendants when riding chairlifts. All passengers must have the physical ability and know how to safely load, ride, and unload the lift. If you are unsure or unfamiliar with proper chairlift usage, please ask the lift attendant for assistance.
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Swinging, bouncing or otherwise abusing lift equipment can be dangerous. If alone, sit in the middle of the chair. If the lift stops, never attempt to jump off.
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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Tunnel Safety
Boarding and riding the conveyor lift (tunnel) requires patience. If you are unfamiliar with the conveyor loading or unloading processes, ask the tunnel attendant for assistance.
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There is an orange marker within the tunnel that the person in front of you must pass before you are able to proceed. All passengers must stay standing for the duration of the ride. Do not walk or shuffle forward while on the conveyor.
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Handle Tow Safety
The handle tow lift is located within the beginner area and will help our newest skiers and riders experience a mild incline before embarking onto the conveyor lift for the next stage in their skiing or snowboarding skill progression.
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How to Use The Handle Tow
1) Look & Load
Move up to the marked line and wait your turn. Look to the inside for the orange handle to come around to you. Stay standing and hold on to the handle when it arrives.
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2) Stand & Ride
Remain standing for the entire ride and stay in track. If you fall, clear the track immediately to avoid a collision with the rider behind you.
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3) Unload & Leave
When you arrive at the top of the lift in the unloading area, let go of the handle and move out of the way for the next rider to safely unload.
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Terrain Park Safety
When riding in terrain parks, there are a number of specific etiquette and safety practices that all users should follow.
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Helmets are mandatory in the terrain park.
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A feature is closed if you see a rope line, fencing, signs, bamboo, boards or skis across a takeoff. Do not remove the barrier and do not ride those features.
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Let the Park staff do their job – if you see Park staff working on a feature, skip that feature and come back when they are done.
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Keep landings clear – never stop to take a break in a landing, bottom of roller or anywhere that you are not visible to riders uphill from you. Clear the landing area to avoid collisions. When not using features, stay off to the side of the trail, out of the way.
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Use features in the manner in which they are intended. Don’t jump off the sides of the takeoffs.
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Be courteous of your fellow park riders, call your drops and give people time and space when waiting to ride a feature to avoid cutting people off.
Snowshoeing Safety
Snowshoeing involves the risk of injury. The snowshoe trail may contain hazards including but not limited to icy terrain, uneven terrain, loose terrain, and fallen debris/branches. Snowshoes are mandatory on the trail. Snowshoers must stay on the designated hike trail (marked with red arrows). Dogs are permitted on the snowshoe trail while on leash. The snowshoe trail is unsupervised - obey all posted signs and stay on the trail. The trail is only open during chairlift operating hours.
Best Practices for Snowshoers
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Choose the right snowshoes - ensure your snowshoes fit and are suitable for your weight, the terrain, and the current snow conditions.
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Tell someone your plans and when you expect to return.
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Stay hydrated.
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Use poles to help with stability.
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Wear layers that you can take off or add back on based on temperature.
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Save a copy of the map electronically on your cell phone.
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Be aware of your surroundings by looking around and taking note of landmarks that can help your navigation.
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Never approach or feed animals.
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Respect other visitors and maintain a quiet environment.
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Be aware and prepared for changing weather conditions.
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Pick up after yourself - do not leave any food or garbage behind.
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Drugs & Alcohol
The use of drugs & alcohol is strictly prohibited on the hill and lifts. 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 snowstorms, Sir Sam's Ski/Ride may be required to close areas on the hill, runs, and/or lifts during posted hours of operation to ensure the safety of all staff and visitors. After severe weather events, it is possible for runs and conditions to be impacted and/or altered. If Sir Sam's Ski/Ride is required to close due to impending or current inclement weather conditions, a notice will be posted on the homepage of the website and on all Sir Sam's Ski/Ride social media sites.
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Cover your face or wear sunscreen, and wear goggles to help prevent winter sunburns. Wear layered clothing that you can take off if too hot or put on if too cold. Be aware of cold related ailments such as frostbite and hypothermia.​
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, and squirrels.
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.
Motor Vehicles
All motor vehicles including but not limited to snowmobiles, ATVs, UTVs, motorcycles, 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.
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.