Datebook : Wintergreen : UVa Children’s Hospital & Wintergreen Resort Team Up to Promote Snowsports Safety : 1.19.08

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UVa Children’s Hospital and Wintergreen Resort Team Up to Promote Snowsports Safety
Event to Kick off National Safety Awareness Week

Safe Sliders, a program developed at the University of Virginia Children’s Hospital, and offered at Wintergreen Resort, will launch for its third ski season on Saturday, Jan. 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wintergreen Resort.

The award-winning program raises awareness about skiing and snowboarding safety. Children who visit Wintergreen Resort can look forward to activity books with updated snowsports safety guidelines and reflective zipper pulls to attach to their jackets. The Wintergreen Resort mascot, Ridgeley the Bear, along with a crowd of young skiers and snowboarders will help launch the 2008 Safe Sliders program.

“We’re so excited about launching the program for a third year in a row and helping to bring yet another opportunity for young skiers and riders to develop safe slope practices that can last a lifetime,” said Maria Synan, Project Coordinator, UVA Health System Office of Community Relations, Service and Outreach.

In fact, the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission reports that ski helmets could reduce or prevent the effects of 53 percent of head injuries suffered by children younger than 15 while skiing or snowboarding. Nationwide, a quarter of million children are injured annually while participating in winter sports. Thanks to UVa Children’s Hospital and Wintergreen Resort, young skiers can learn to play it safe and have fun in the snow.

“We’re proud to offer this program to our youngest customers who are learning to love winter sports,” said Jay Roberts, Vice President of Mountain Operations at Wintergreen Resort. “If safety is reinforced at a young age, then these lessons will stick with children into adulthood.”

Those who display their reflective zipper pulls at participating Wintergreen venues can receive additional prizes and freebies. This event kicks off the start of the National Ski Areas Association National Safety Awareness Week, which is January 19-25, 2008.

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