With the school holidays, the slopes fill up and the risk of accidents increases…
To make sure skiing remains a pleasure and ensure everyone’s safety: here’s a reminder of the 10 rules of good conduct on the slopes, issued by the International Ski Federation for winter sports enthusiasts.
1. Respect for others
Skiers (also applies to snowboarders) must behave in such a way as to avoid putting others in danger or harming them either by their behaviour or their equipment.
2. Control your speed and behaviour
Skiers must adapt their speed and behaviour to their personal abilities as well as to the general conditions of terrain and weather, the state of the snow and the density of traffic. To put it simply, don’t go careering down a slope in the middle of the February holidays, especially if you can’t stop. You have to ski according to your own abilities and not follow your friends at all costs if they’re more advanced than you…
3. Choosing your direction when you’re higher up the slope
Anyone below the skier has priority. The skier who’s further uphill (on the mountain side) has a position that lets them choose their trajectory. So they must make their choice in such a way as to ensure the safety of anyone who’s further down the slope (on the valley side). As the person lower down the slope doesn’t have eyes in the back of their head, it’s down to the skier higher up to avoid running into them.
4. Overtaking
Overtaking can be done higher up or lower down, to right or left. However, it must always be done leaving sufficient room to allow for whatever the person being overtaken may do. As when a car overtakes a cyclist, you have to leave enough space between yourself and the skier you’re overtaking.
5. At a crossing of the tracks or when setting off
After stopping or at a crossing of paths, the skier must, by scanning the uphill and downhill slopes, ensure they can continue without endangering others or themselves. Exactly like driving a car.
6. Stopping
Skiers must avoid stopping in narrow passages or where there’s no visibility. In the event of a fall, they must clear the track as quickly as possible. Don’t take a break behind a bump in the terrain, for example. Because if someone arrives quickly, they can do some damage.
7. Ascent and descent on foot
Skiers who have to go up or down a track on foot must use the edge of the track, taking care that neither they nor their equipment pose a danger to others.
8. Respect for information, markings and signs
Skiers must take into account information on the weather conditions, state of the slopes and the snow. They must respect markings and signs.
Do not enter a closed track.
9. Assistance
A skier who witnesses or is involved in an accident must lend assistance, in particular by raising the alert. If necessary, and at the request of rescuers, they must offer assistance.
Just like in everyday life.
10. Identification
A skier who witnesses or is involved in an accident is required to make their identity known to the emergency service and/or third parties.
Enjoy the slopes, everyone!
