There were big dumps of snow last week in Utah. The atmospheric river that drenched California, pounded the Wasatch and the Rockies with heavy snow. As a result, there were lots of signs warning of potential hazards and the fact that Deer Valley wanted you to pay attention. There were signs of where to park, which runs were open and closed on the trail signs, avalanche potential signs, closed signs due to avalanche mitigation, and it just seemed like there were signs everywhere- just like the song. 

One thing that I have taken to heart over the years is to pay attention to signs. Take this one for instance.

Now you might think that this is funny, but in reality, the sign is correct. When you ski the trees, you have to be aware that you are skiing amongst immovable objects. Also, if you ski by yourself, and end up in a tree well( hole around the trunk of the tree with snow all around), you could have a problem. So, this sign is fair warning. 

During our time there last week, we heard the familiar blasts of dynamite charges mitigating avalanche potential in the Daly Chutes. Our friends, Judy and Mike Smith, and I wanted to ski there but knew that we had to read the signs to see when they would be open and if it was safe to ski. Ultimately, the mitigation was completed by the ski patrol ,and we were able to make a few runs in a safe environment after the ski patrol had done their thing. My friend Greg Ellis reminded me that there are in bounds avalanches that do occur and to be careful. I took his warning to heart. But we were safe because we read the signs, talked to the ski patrol, and waited until there was no issue. Read the signs. 

Another sign above that not only reminds us that the lift is not open yet, but there is a reason not to jump on the chair and not pay attention to the sign. The ski patrol goes first for a reason and all of us must realize that we go when the sign is removed. 

There are trail signs at ski areas that tell you the difficulty and it is important to pay attention to them. It is also important to pay attention to the signs that tell you when the chair will be closed for the day. Not a good idea to be stuck somewhere when the lift closes. Again, pay attention to the signs. 

I guess all the heavy snow brought about the need for signage that indicated certain things that we all must know as skiers when visiting an area. I have always made a practice of reading them and understanding what they say. But thinking a little bit about them, I realized that this practice is not limited to ski areas. Stop signs, yield signs, directional signs, mileage signs, etc. are all important for when we are driving – right? How about the signs that your body gives you as you age. It is important not to ignore those signs as well. People like me tend to think that we are invincible and regardless of the chronological age, we can do what we like because we are in good shape. We don’t think about it. But sometimes there are signs that your body gives you that may indicate that something needs to be checked. Kind of like a check engine light in your car. Pay attention to those signs as well and make it a practice to see your doctor to be able to remedy anything wrong and continue to live the life that you want to live. 

So as the Five Man Electrical Band once said- ” So I got me a pen and paper,and made up my own little sign. I said “Thank you Lord for thinking about me- I’m alive and doin fine.” ” Sign sign, everywhere a sign.” Read the signs, understand the signs, pay attention to your own signs and live a healthy, hearty, live. Thanks for reading. 

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