Club Safety

How to Ride Tow

Equipment Allowed on Tow Ropes

The Blackhawk Ski Club limits the use of the tow ropes to specific equipment to maintain the safety of our members.

All Skis - All skis must have either functioning binding breaks or safety straps to ride our tow ropes.

  •  Breaks and safety straps are intended to prevent skis from sliding uncontrollably and at high speed down the towpath in the event of a fall, thus posing a significant risk of injury to riders.

  •  Please note that cross-country ski bindings are not strong enough to withstand bumps, ice, and deep grooves in the towpath and can easily release, posing a significant risk to riders behind.

Snowboards – All snowboards must have at least one foot fully strapped into a binding when riding the tow.

 

Skier Responsibility Code

 

How to Activate and Direct EMS

  1. If presented with a club member who has a life-threatening injury, immediately call, or assign a bystander to call 911.

  2. Utilize bystander(s) to direct EMS from the club road entrance to the patient. 

  3. Do not leave the patient.

 

Blackhawk Chalet Addresses:

East Chalet

10118 Blackhawk Road, Middleton

Instructions to dispatcher: East chalet is the first entrance traveling west on Blackhawk Road. EMS should take the first right on the gravel road.

West Chalet

10222 Blackhawk Road, Middleton

Instructions to dispatcher: West chalet is the second entrance traveling west on Blackhawk Road. 

 

Request the Middleton Fire Department for injured members who need transportation from icy roads or trails

Injured members who have been transported to the bottom of the ski hills or gravel roads, or located in areas where accessibility is difficult, such as a mountain bike or Nordic trails, may require a special 4x4 vehicle and/or other devices for extrication from the Middleton Fire Department.

A typical EMS ambulance will not be able to travel down our gravel road to the bottom parking lot during winter.

For injured members who are on a trail, provide dispatch with your location relative to the closest gravel road. A Blackhawk map of our trail system was provided to EMS and they may be able to reference the trail name. Try to include descriptions such as “100 feet east of” or “west of” a particular road, trail, or building. Try and be specific if the patient is on Blackhawk or Middleton Bike Park (formerly known as Pleasant View) property. 

 

AED in West Chalet

Blackhawk has installed an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in the West Chalet in case of a cardiac emergency. This device is accessible for all club members who have been trained in CPR.

 

Uphill Skiing Policy at Blackhawk

Uphill skiing is an essential skill that many enjoy mastering, from biathlon, nordic, telemark, and occasionally alpine skiers with skins.

To ensure this is a safe activity for everyone, please follow and be mindful of the following times, rules, and guidelines.

  • ALL SKIERS MUST ABIDE BY THE SKIER RESPONSIBILITY CODE.
  • ALWAYS BE VISIBLE and stay clear of SNOWCATS AND OTHER SKIERS IN THE DARK!
  • WHEN DESCENDING, WATCH FOR MARKED SLOW ZONES, BLIND SPOTS AND OTHER SKIERS

 

Uphill Skiing Hours and Areas

Any hill is fair game for uphill skiing when the tow ropes are not running.

When tow ropes are running, uphill skiing is limited to:

  • The designated Nordic path, that begins on the far western edge of Hill 2 and Hill 1

  • The outer edge of Hill 6 on the club’s east side, (except for BART nights).

    Please avoid skiing up the center and inside of hill 6 at all times. Visibility can be challenging at night, so please wear lights and bright colors. Watch for downhill traffic when crossing open runs.

Additional Uphill skiing on Hill 4 is available during these weeknight start times:

Monday - 6:00pm
Tuesday - 7:00pm
Wednesday - 6:00pm
Thursday - 5:30pm

Hill 4 will be closed to alpine skiers to allow for uphill Nordic and biathlon skiing.

 

Uphill skiing is prohibited when tow ropes are running during these days and times

Please be aware that access to uphill skiing may change throughout the season due to hill conditions, special events, and programs. Failure to abide by these rules could result in enforcement of the club’s three-strikes rule or loss of club membership privileges.