While on the mountain slopes, safety is critical. You will discover ten rules that all skiers and snowboarders should adhere to on the slope which have been set by the International Ski Federation. The very last thing you would want wrecking your luxury ski trip would be an accident a result of being unaware of the rules and regulations.
1- Respect
You should not put others in danger. Try to avoid skiing in ways which may be hazardous towards other skiers, it is vital to respect other skiers on the slopes to maintain safety and also to prevent yourself from causing and / or being involved in any accidents.
2- Control
Adjust the manner and pace of your skiing to your own capabilities, in addition to to the general conditions of the mountain side. Essentially this implies recognising your own individual limits and never taking mindless risks needlessly, as well as ensuring that you are alert to the external factors (for example adverse weather conditions or snow quality) prior to getting out on to the ski slopes.
3- Route Choice
Priority must at all times be offered to the skier in front. Skiing is often similar to driving a car in most instances, one particular example is that the person a head of you has ultimate right of way. You should always leave the necessary room, paying attention to the actions of the other skier which can often be impossible to anticipate. The same as driving defensively.
4- Overtaking Etiquette
Leave plenty of space while overtaking.This rule is for your protection as well as the safety of others. If another person is skiing slower than you, then it is most probable that they are a less confident skier, so overtaking them too tightly may cause them to react unexpectedly and could therefore subsequently lead to an accident.
5- Entering and Starting
Perform entry with caution. Always look both ways prior to stepping into a marked run (similar to crossing a road). You must look up the mountain to check for oncoming skiers and down for potential obstacles (like halted skiers, rocks or trees). Once more, similar to driving, cutting someone up whilst they are skiing will probably lead to an accident and occasionally leading to that individual being injured.
6- Stopping
Only ever stop at the edge of the piste or in an area where you can easily be seen. Pausing round a blind corner or underneath a drop can make you hidden from oncoming skiers and can also hide them from yourself, meaning that you are therefore reducing the reaction time frame required for others to take safe measures to maneuver around you.
7- Climbing
When climbing up or down, stay to the side of the ski slopes (for much the same cause as outlined in stopping).
8- Signs
Comply with all signs and markings. They’re there for your safety. They’re also there for the protection of other ski slope users though, therefore we come back again to respect. Just as with a fast paced road, the slopes can be dangerous places when individuals ignore the warning signs, and therefore incidents can be caused by lapses of concentration and exhaustion.
9- Assistance
In the event of accidents, you must provide help and support, alerting the recovery services when required. Don’t forget that if you are skiing within the French Alps, you’re required by the good Samaritan law to offer any help within your power to supply to your fellow man (supposing it’s safe for you to do so).
10- Identification
All relevant parties in an incident, this includes witnesses, will have to exchange names and addresses. Just as before, much like when driving a vehicle, you need to anticipate having to exchange any sort of details necessary.
Being safe on piste is vital to your own personal safety and the rules set by the International Ski Federation should be obeyed at all times. Taking private VIP ski lessons before you go skiing for the very first time will equip you with all the knowledge you need to be safe on the ski slopes.