Piste Safety

On the piste there are a few rules to be followed that are intended to make the piste a safe and enjoyable place for everyone.

• Respect other skiers and snowboarders - You must make sure that your actions do not endanger or prejudice other piste users.
• Control your speed - You must always make sure that you are in control, and that it is within your ability to handle the conditions, in the space you have.
• Choose your route carefully - The route you take must not endanger the people in front of you. Skiers or snowboarders in front have priority.
• Overtaking - You may overtake on either side, but you must ensure that you have left enough room for whoever you overtake to manoeuvre voluntarily or involuntarily.
• Join pistes carefully - When you join a piste or start from having stopped, you must look up and down the piste and make sure it is clear enough for you to start.
• Stop carefully on the piste - Unless you absolutely must, you should avoid stopping in narrow areas or where the visibility is restricted. When you do stop you should stop at the side of the piste and as out of the way as possible. If you fall over and don't get straight back up, you must come to the side of the piste or out of the way as soon as possible for your safety and that of others.
• Climb and Descend at the sides of the piste when on foot - If you need to walk up or down the piste on foot, you must do so at the side of the piste to stay out or peoples way, and leave everyone in safety.
• Respect for Signs and Markings - You must always obey the signs and markings, as they are there for your safety.
• Help if someone needs assistance - If there has been an accident, help the person and alert the rescue services.
• Witnessing an accident - If you witness an accident, you should leave your name and address with the person taking charge whether you were involved in the accident or not.

It is also important to make sure that you have insurance when you ski, so that if you do hurt yourself, rescue costs and any other necessary costs will be covered by the insurance. Do be careful to make sure that your insurance covers what you are doing though, as not all insurance policies cover off-piste skiing, and there can be other clauses.

On to the Getting On and Off of Chair Lifts page.