2. Get the right equipment :
- Wear a transceiver device (avalanche victim search device) and know how to use it
- Sunglasses, sunscreen
- Piste-map, relief map, compass and altimeter
- Survival blanket, first-aid kit, knife, candle and lighter
- Glacier safety equipment, if necessary

3. Never go alone, but choose your companions carefully : how many (smaller groups are easier to manage) ? What technical level ? How fit ? What alpine experience ? What sort of relationship do you have ?

4. Study your route on a relief map or piste-map :
Adapt your route to the weather, snow and ground conditions as well as physical capabilities (always ski at the level of the weakest skier) Do not plan to return to base too late in the day.
Get to know the terrain : try to get a good idea of the slopes and the changes in gradient in order to avoid any difficult passages and plan alternative routes.

5. Inform your parents or friends of your route and estimated time of return. Or leave a note on your car windscreen.

During the outing

When setting off :
- Count the number of skiers
- Always test all three settings on your ARVA transceiver
- Put your ARVA on and set to “emit” position. Only turn it off when you are safely back in the resort.

Accident

If you witness an avalanche :
- Contact Val d’Isère Ski Patrol :
04 79 06 02 10
- Try to pinpoint where the victims disappear.
- Use your ARVA transceiver and pole to try and locate the victim

If you are caught in an avalanche :
- Try and move sideways out of the avalanche’s path
- If you are swept up in the avalanche, try to stay on the surface or catch hold of some fixed object.
- If you are buried in the avalanche, try to create a breathing space and establish in which direction the surface is.

Important

- Existing tracks in the snow are under no circumstances a sign that the route is safe ; never follow tracks without thinking.
- If conditions are uncertain or show signs of deteriorating before you reach safer ground, turn around and go back.
- Don’t ski close together, leave a safe distance between group members.
- Keep an eye on each other.
- Select safe areas where group members may wait and watch the others, or where they may shelter in case of an avalanche
- Never stop directly below other skiers; always wait in a safe area to the side.
- Advance slowly, avoiding, if possible, brusque movements or, even worse, falls.

Then :
When choosing your route, evaluate the actual snow, weather, terrain and physical (ability and level of fitness) conditions and their susceptibility to change, taking into consideration that they may vary from your original plans.