Rules of Conduct on the Slopes
Controlling Your Speed and Trajectory
Adjusting your speed and trajectory is essential for skiing safely. You should adapt your pace according to visibility, slope traffic, and your technical level. In foggy conditions or during snowfall, distances and obstacles are harder to perceive, so it’s important to exercise extra caution and maintain a moderate speed to anticipate potential dangers.
Slope traffic must also be considered. On busy slopes, keep a safe distance from other skiers, especially beginners or children who may change direction suddenly. Excessive speed under these conditions increases the risk of collisions and endangers others.
Your trajectory is also key to slope safety. Maintain a smooth and predictable line, avoiding sudden changes in direction. Respect the right-of-way rule, which gives priority to skiers downhill, to reduce accidents. Additionally, adopting a balanced posture with slightly bent knees and your gaze forward, improves stability and responsiveness to uneven terrain.
Right of Way and Overtaking Other Skiers
It is crucial to follow right-of-way rules on ski slopes. Generally, a skier downhill has priority over a skier above. Maintain a safe distance from skiers in front and anticipate any sudden changes in direction.
When overtaking, ensure you have enough space and visibility to do so safely. Warn the skier you intend to pass, either with a gesture or by adjusting your trajectory smoothly. Avoid overtaking in narrow sections or areas with low visibility, such as tight turns or steep slopes. Improper overtaking can cause serious accidents, so vigilance and respect for others are essential. The FIS (International Ski Federation) Code clearly outlines these rules for everyone’s safety.
Where to Stop Safely
When stopping on a slope, choose a safe spot to avoid collisions. Never stop in the middle of the piste, as this can obstruct traffic and surprise incoming skiers.
Avoid areas with limited visibility, such as behind a hill, a tight turn, or a narrow passage. The ideal place to stop is at the side of the piste in a clear area where you are not an obstacle. When restarting, always look uphill to ensure no skiers are approaching at speed. These simple precautions help ensure safe skiing and better cohabitation on the slopes.
Alerting Others and Securing the Area
In the event of an accident, act quickly to protect the victim and prevent further collisions. First, clearly signal the accident to other skiers. Plant your skis in a cross uphill from the area to indicate danger, and, if possible, position someone a few meters above to warn descending skiers.
Once the area is secured, assess the victim’s condition and avoid moving them unless there is immediate danger (avalanche risk, fall into a ravine, etc.). Then alert the ski patrol, providing precise information about the location, number of injured, and type of injuries.
Contacting Emergency Services on the Slopes
Calling for help quickly is crucial for effective assistance. The ski patrol emergency number is usually displayed on slope maps or at lifts make sure to note it before skiing. Otherwise, dial 112, the European emergency number.
When calling, provide clear information: exact location of the accident (piste name and number, nearest marker), the victim’s condition (conscious or not, type of injury), and surrounding conditions (weather, slope traffic). This ensures rescuers can intervene quickly and provide the appropriate care.