A Letter on Safety From Jackson Hole Mountain Resort CEO Mary Kate Buckley

Dear Jackson Hole Community and Guests,

In my letter welcoming passholders to the 2024/25 winter season, I emphasized our focus on elevating mountain safety. Now, a month into the season, I want to provide an update to everyone on the safety initiatives we’ve implemented, highlight the progress we’ve made, and invite you to join us in creating a culture of safety at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR).

Prioritizing Safety and Raising Awareness

Safety has always been a core value at JHMR. Our Safety Committee, composed of representatives from across the resort, meets regularly to assess and improve safety protocols. This season, we introduced new initiatives aimed at fostering greater safety awareness. “Family Zones” were established in beginner and congested areas to promote slower, more controlled skiing and riding. Seven “Rest Areas” were added to provide safe spaces for guests to pause without disrupting busy trails.

Our messaging emphasizes the National Ski Area Association’s (NSAA) Responsibility Code, which outlines critical guidelines for speed control, spatial awareness, and prioritizing those downhill. The Responsibility Code also stresses the importance of avoiding alcohol and drugs while skiing or riding, as impairment significantly increases the risk of accidents. Our promotion and prioritization of the new NSAA Triangle of Safety campaign highlights collision prevention strategies, focusing on controlling speed, creating space, and personal accountability.

These messages are reinforced through prominent signage, digital and social media, and on our safety webpage, which provides resources on topics such as lift safety, avalanche awareness, and the risks of tree wells. Additionally, we are removing the JH Insider app vertical feet leaderboard, which was deemed to potentially promote fast skiing. We also use social media and videos to promote mountain safety and awareness.

Employee Culture of Safety

Our 1,800 winter employees set the tone for safety across the mountain. This season, all employees participated in mandatory early-season training focused on mitigating reckless skiing and modeling safe behavior. Employees are held to a higher standard, required to take a safety pledge to qualify for their season pass, and are fully briefed on the consequences of violating safety protocols as outlined in our employee handbook. Violations of these protocols can result in the immediate suspension or revocation of their season pass, reinforcing the importance of adhering to the highest standards of safety while on the mountain.

Partnership with the Snow Angel Foundation

We are proud to partner with the Snow Angel Foundation, founded by Chauncy and Kelli Johnson, whose mission is to reduce on-mountain collisions. Their story of losing their five-year-old daughter to a high-speed collision has brought attention to the importance of safe skiing practices.

Chauncy shared, “We’re excited and honored to officially partner with Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in our collective mission to reduce preventable on-mountain collisions. As we work together, we are confident that we can not only raise awareness but most importantly reduce accidents over time.”

The Johnsons recently visited JHMR to share their impactful and important story with employees and guests, helping to inspire a deeper commitment to safety across our community.

Enforcement and Consequences

A culture of safety requires enforcement and consequences. Our Speed Wranglers, established in 2014/15, led by Zander Felton, play a key role in enforcing mountain safety. This team manages signage, patrols congested areas, and addresses reckless behavior. They coordinate with Operations Management and Ski Patrol to identify and intercept violators using descriptions and lift camera footage.

This season, Ski Patrol has taken on a more active role as the mobile enforcers and educators of mountain safety, moving across the mountain to engage directly with guests. They promote mountain etiquette, address unsafe behavior, and ensure that safety protocols are followed throughout the resort.

The consequences for violations vary based on severity, ranging from educational warnings to pass suspensions or revocations. In extreme cases, a no-trespass ban may be issued, legally barring individuals from the resort. All enforcement actions are recorded in a centralized database to track trends and repeat offenses.

While we do not disclose the total number or identities of passholders whose passes are pulled each season due to privacy concerns, we have observed an increase in enforcement actions for violations such as skiing in closed areas, reckless skiing, and speeding compared to last year. Our Ski Patrol issued 24 pass suspensions in one day for violating closure signs. Feedback from guests indicates that the increased presence of Speed Wranglers and Ski Patrol, as well as visible enforcement, has positively impacted perceptions of safety on the mountain.

Analysis and Action

At JHMR we believe continuous improvement in safety requires analyzing data, evaluating trends, and taking proactive steps to address risks. We maintain detailed records of reported collisions, including the circumstances of each incident, daily guest scans, weather conditions, and other relevant factors. This data allows us to compare our safety performance to industry benchmarks. Historically, including during the 2023/24 season, our ratio of reported collisions to skier visits aligns with the industry average. But we are not striving for the average; our goal is to have the most robust culture of safety in the industry.

At the end of each season, we review this data to identify areas for improvement. These reviews have led to several trail modifications, such as limbing trees to improve visibility, roping off the intersection at Croakie Point to reduce traffic conflicts, doubling the width of Ship’s Prow on Rendezvous Trail to alleviate a choke point, and grading Lower Tramline to provide advanced skiers with a dedicated route off the upper mountain, separate from Gros Ventre, which serves intermediate skiers.

Your Role in Mountain Safety

We’ve received positive feedback on the increased presence of Speed Wranglers and Ski Patrol, as well as the clarity of our signage and messaging. While some have requested more personnel across the mountain, our 2,500 acres of terrain make this impractical. Instead, we focus on strategic enforcement and empowering individuals to take responsibility for their actions.

It’s important to remember that skiing and snowboarding inherently carry risks. The Wyoming Ski Act requires that individuals are responsible not only for their own safety but for the safety of those around them.

JHMR is renowned for its challenging terrain, which draws skiers and riders in search of adventure. While we embrace this reputation, we aim to expand the definition of expert skiing to emphasize skiing with control.

Safety is a shared responsibility. We invite you to visit our safety webpage, review the actions that can result in pass suspension, and join our employees in taking the safety pledge. Together, we can create a safer and more enjoyable mountain experience for everyone.

Michael Reitzell, President and CEO of the NSAA, highlighted our efforts, stating:

“The safety initiatives implemented by JHMR are part of an impressive and comprehensive campaign that focuses on guest education and personal responsibility. Their effort to elevate their safety culture with their employees is equally impressive. Skiing and snowboarding have inherent risks—including collisions—but guest education and awareness are the best way to reduce those risks. JHMR hits the mark with its new campaign, and it will be a model for the rest of the industry.”

With Gratitude for Joining Our Effort,

Mary Kate Buckley
CEO, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort