Safety on the slopes: the rules you need to know to ski with peace of mind

Adopting the right behaviours 

There are a few simple things you can do on your skis to ensure that you ski with peace of mind and respect other skiers:

When stopped, keep to the edge of the piste: avoid parking in narrow passages or behind bumps and always remain visible.

Always control your speed: adapt your pace to your technical and physical abilities, the number of skiers, visibility, the difficulty of the piste and the state of the snow.
Listen to the professionals: the ski area teams are there to ensure everyone's safety, so always pay attention to their instructions and the signs. If necessary, ask the professional first-aid attendants and lift operators.
Watch out for other skiers: on the slopes as on the road, we are all responsible for the safety of others. Don't get in the way of skiers below you by anticipating your trajectories as far as possible.

Off-piste, you ski at your own risk.

In addition, we would like to remind you of some common sense advice and urge you to be vigilant if you want to ski with young children in a rucksack or baby carrier: this practice is strongly discouraged and involves numerous risks: safety in the event of a fall or collision, health with the risk of hypothermia, altitude for the ears of the youngest children...

If you follow these simple rules, you'll be able to ski safely on all the slopes and enjoy the thrill of the snow with a clear head!

Adapted and adjusted equipment

But before you hit the freshly fallen powder, you need to make sure you have the right equipment. To ski safely, you need at least :

• Well-maintained skis and well-adjusted bindings
• A helmet that fits securely on your head,
• Sunglasses or a ski mask to avoid being bothered by the sun's reflection off the snow and to protect your eyes,
• Ski gloves to prevent injury in the event of a fall and to keep your extremities warm.

As well as your equipment, you should also check that your ski gear (boots, skis and poles) is suitable for your level and size. If you're not sure, don't hesitate to get advice from a local professional (ski instructor, ski hire shop).

Check your insurance

If you have an accident while skiing, the ski patrol will be there to give you emergency treatment and bring you back to safety. But don't forget, rescue services are not free. So to avoid any nasty surprises, check beforehand that your insurance policies cover winter sports. If not, you can take out Carré Neige insurance directly with the resort when you buy your ski passes.

Physical preparation

Before setting off with your knees bent and your skis parallel, remember to warm up for the slopes. Although many people see skiing as a leisure activity, it's important to remember that it's no less a sport. Before the season starts, and before each new day on the slopes, get into the habit of warming up and stretching your muscles!

And for beginners, don't hesitate to take a few ski lessons with the ESF (individual or group) to (re)learn the basic techniques and gain confidence on the slopes. A few hours with an instructor will give you the right moves and reflexes, so you can ski safely for yourself and for the other skiers around you.

Refer to the signposts 

©OT Saint Sorlin d'Arves

Ski areas put in place and maintain a whole range of markings and signs on the slopes to protect their users. It is essential to rely on this system if you want to ski in complete safety. 

• The signs mark the boundaries of the pistes and indicate high-risk areas (crossings, bumps, etc.). Pay close attention to the signs on the piste so that you can adapt your speed and trajectory.
• Markers are placed on the sides of the track to indicate its difficulty. There are 4 colour codes:
  • Green: easy
  • Blue: Medium
  • Red: Difficult
  • Black: very difficult Very difficult

It's important to refer to these markers when choosing which trail to take, depending on your level. That way, you won't be surprised by the difficulty as the descent progresses. A piste map is also available in the resort to show you all the pistes in the area. You can find it on the resort's website, at the ski lift ticket offices, at the Tourist Office or posted on the signs provided, usually located at the bottom and top of the pistes. This way, you can plan your route before you get off the chairlift.
 
These beacons are also a useful guide if you need to contact the first-aid team. If you tell them the name of the piste, the colour and the number on the marker, they'll be able to find you straight away. 

Find all the safety advice on the slopes on the Ministry of Sport website.

Cover photo credit : ©Philippe Devanne