Montréal, Canada (Saturday, January 25, 2003) - The Quebec Ski Areas Association (ASSQ) is launching a Safety Tour around Québec ski areas to test the knowledge of the Mountain Code of Conduct with skiers and snowboarders, 8 years of age and older. The tour will also help promote the Mountain Code of Conduct with resort clientele.

According to statistics' of the province's Secretariat au loisir et au sport, in more than 80% of reported injuries, skiers and snowboarders believe that they were responsible for the events leading to the injury. "People aged 12 to 25 years old are infamous for taking more risks when they practice an active sport. If all skiers and snowboarders applied the Mountain Code of Conduct when on the hills, the number of accidents would drop considerably", explains Martine Lizotte, Communications Manager at the ASSQ. The most common errors made on the slopes are related to lack of ability or simply not following the regular safety requirements.

The Tour begins today Ski Bromont and will stop at more than 20 ski resorts during next few months. Several activities are planned: the distribution of the Mountain Code of Conduct leaflet by ski patrollers, the viewing of an information video on safety tips, and a quiz on safety on the hill with an enticing contest and prizes.

The Association des stations de ski du Québec is partnering in this effort with the Secrétariat au loisir et au sport, the Canadian Ski Patrol, the Patrouille sur skis Saint-Jean du Québec, Louis Garneau and Fonds Jeunesse Québec.