Security on the slopes - title

Security on the slopes

Although a source of pleasure, to fully enjoy, there are some safety rules to follow on the slopes. Discover them here!

1- Signs

All resorts are required to indicate the degree of difficulty of each of the slopes in their ski area by coloured signs, so that each skier or snowboarder can go down the run suited to their level:

Green piste
It is easy, perfect for beginners

Blue piste
It is of average intensity, accessible for beginners too

Red piste
It is reserved for intermediates

Black piste
It is very difficult, only very good experienced skiers go down it.

On the slopes, 3 types of flags can be installed and indicate the risk of avalanches, more or less important:

  • Security on the slopes

    Yellow flag

    Low risk of avalanche (scale: 1 and 2)
    ***
    Stable snowpack on most slopes.
    ***
    On a few fairly rapid slopes, moderately stable snowpack.

  • Security on the slopes

    Yellow and black flag

    Considerable risk of avalanche (scale: 3 & 4)
    ***
    Moderate or weakly stable snowpack on many slopes.

  • Security on the slopes

    Black flag

    Very high risk of avalanche (scale: 5)
    ***
    Unstable snowpack on all slopes.

The 10 golden rules

These rules have been established by the International Ski Federation. They allow everyone to enjoy the ski slopes in safety and with respect to other skiers and snowboarders.

1. Respect others, by behaving responsibly, so as not to endanger each other's lives.

2. Control your speed, by adapting it according to your abilities, taking into account the snow and weather conditions (Ex : slow down when crossing over beginner areas, near lift queues or at the bottom of the slopes).

3. Choose your direction before, by taking a trajectory that ensures the safety of the downhill skiers (the skiers below you don't necessarily see you coming, it's up to you to anticipate) in order to avoid any collision.

4. Pass by respecting distances, wide enough to anticipate the trajectory of the skier you're passing.

5. Anticipate departures and crossings without danger, so you can make sure you can enter a run without putting the lives of others at risk - by taking into account uphill and downhill.

6. Stop intelligently, without obstructing the slope, avoid stopping in narrow passages and behind bumps in order to remain visible to skiers uphill.

7. Use the edges of the slopes if you need to go up the slopes by ski or on foot.

8. Consult the weather conditions and respect the signs, by respecting the signs (warnings of danger, closed slopes, avalanche risks).

9. Alert in the case of an accident, and provide assistance to the person in danger.

10. Identify yourself as witness in the case of an accident, whether you are directly involved or just a witness..

These 10 basic rules, easy to remember and to respect, ensure your development in complete serenity without endangering anyone, for a holiday without any hassle.

2 - Behavior on ski lifts

Good behavior is also appreciated when using the ski lifts so as not to queue unpatiently and angrily and to use them with the greatest of safety.

Here are some basic rules:

  • Security on the slopes

    On the drag lifts

    Do not slalom going uphill, you risk derailing the cable.
    ***
    Clear the passage quickly when you arrive at the top, the next pole could hit you.
    ***
    Remove your wrist straps, otherwise you could get stuck on the pole.

  • Security on the slopes

    On the chair lifts

    Prepare yourself when getting on so you won't be surprised or unbalanced.
    ***
    In the case of a bad departure, let go immediately.
    ***
    Pay attention to children, and help them get on and off.
    ***
    Stay wedged into the back of the seat and wait arrival before raising the guardrail .
    ***
    Backpack in front, pole in one hand, the other for cushioning.

  • Security on the slopes

    In the cable car / eggs

    Do not try to rock the cabin.
    ***
    In the event of it stopping, calmly wait for instructions from the staff.

Wedze's tip

When going off-piste, equip yourself with an ARVA, a snow shovel, a telescopic probe, a map and a compass, not to mention your cell phone and a survival blanket .

Now that you know the basic rules, you can safely enjoy the pleasures of the snow!

Security on the slopes

Chloé

Wedze communication team, made up of skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts

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