1Skiing? Sure Thing!
This is how you head down the mountain best
White peaks, blue skies, and brilliant sunlight: what could be more beautiful than the feeling of carefree skiing? Whether weaving, carving, or boarding, you can experience magical moments with the whole family.
Although, truth be told, in order to make sure your time on the piste is linked with pleasant memories, you'll need more than just the initial reaction of "Yay, snow!". Therefore, we've put together current safety requirements and helpful tips for the pistes just for you. Those who are well prepared, can ski safely with control, and show sportsmanship and fairness will clearly have more fun and arrive at the bottom in one piece.
Hermann Maier, Olympic Champion (2 x Gold), Super-G and Giant Slalom:
"I believe a huge risk is the personal overestimation of a skier on the piste. If everyone could ski with the ability to stop themselves as if they are currently in a dangerous situation, that would make our sport much safer." 1
2The FIS rules
For an all-around successful time on the piste, there's one thing you'll need for sure: consideration. The Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS) explains precisely what that means in their ten rules of conduct for winter sports fans. The FIS rules are valid worldwide for skiers and snowboarders alike - they help organise cohabitation on the piste and act as a basis for the assessment of accidents.
Are you also familiar with the "ten commandments" for a safe time on the piste? The general rule: navigate as defensive, controlled and responsible as you would when driving on the road, consider possible mistakes from other skiers/snowboarders and keep the upcoming terrain in view. Even well-prepared pistes can have difficult areas with bottlenecks or steeper runs. Depending on the time of year, you will also have to consider icy passages or bumps.
Felix Neureuther, currently Germany's most successful ski racer:
"The 10 rules of conduct are essential for safe cohabitation of the piste. I find that the adjustment of each winter sports fan's method of navigating in accordance with their level of ability and the surrounding weather conditions to be especially important. Only those who ride according to the FIS rules are really safe."
3Fit to ride?
Being in top condition doesn't simply apply to equipment. Before you head out on the piste, make sure to really check yourself for know-how and physical fitness. Speaking of know-how: beginners and returnees can learn the correct navigation techniques, such as an emergency stop, from a local ski school at your destination. In Germany, over 400 ski schools are licesned by the German Ski Association (DSV) and in Austria, the Austrian Ski Association (ÖSV) properly train their ski instructors.
Are you mentally and physically well-prepared?
- How would you estimate your ability as a skier? Make sure to give yourself enough time in order to choose the right ski area for you. A current ski atlas will be sure to help you make your choice. Beginners or returnees should decide on a destination with a majority of blue and red pistes, as black pistes can be too demanding.
- Double-check your physical fitness: do you feel you exercise enough and are well relaxed? Give yourself enough time in your destination to adjust to your surroundings.
- Skiing is a sport of strength. Ideally, you'll have been training all year long or at least improved your physical condition in the weeks leading up to your holiday by doing ski gymnastics. Sport clubs and gyms usually offer their own strength training programmes (online, too), in order to strengthen the muscle groups of the thighs, torso, and back. Mobility, endurance, and coordination are also quite important.
- Skiing is a technical sport. When taking a ski lesson, you're practicing with the right techniques. The goal is to ride clean, controlled and efficient.
- Before heading out onto the cold, wintry pistes: a quick warm up and a round of stretching is important to prepare the body for the effort required. This reduces the chance of injury. Remember to start the day on easy runs in order to help you warm up. This way, you'll get blood circulation going before you make your way to the more demanding pistes.
- Do not overestimate yourself. Don't let yourself get caught up in the "need for speed" or attempt to take on overzealous skiers or snowboarders.
Did you know...
... that most accidents occur in the late morning, after lunch or in the late afternoon due to exhaustion and a lack of concentration? 3
Felix Neureuther, currently Germany's most successful ski racer:
"Skiing requires endurance, agility and power, not only to easily navigate along the pistes throughout the day, but also in order to prevent injuries. Cycling or jogging is recommended for endurance. Coordinated exercies, such as standing on a shaky metro, teaches balance and responsiveness. These exercises also happen to be a lot of fun."
4Is your equipment complete
and in top condition?
Christa Kinshofer, Olympic champion for slalom and giant slalom:
"With the correct behaviour and optimal equipment, you can greatly reduce the risk of accident, and remember: stay focused and keep your eyes open." 5
Did you know...
... that there are around 65 - 70 million skiers worldwide?
5Helmet required
Most head injuries can be avoided by wearing a helmet. Helmets not only keep you warm, but also protect you, and belongs to a skier's and snowboarder's basic equipment. In some alpine countries, wearing a helment is a recommendation, but in others, it's a requirement.
Germany
Helmets are not required here. For years, the German Ski Association (DSV) and the German Ski Instructor Association (DSLV) have been working hard to convince winter sports fans to wear a helmet.
Austria
According to the federal government, helmets should be required for children and teens up to the age of 15 and each federal state is responsible for enforcing this recommendation. In Salzburg, Styria, Lower Austria and Burgenland, helmets are required, whereas in Tyrol and Vorarlberg, there is no requirement. Regular inspections do not take place which means there are no fines to be paid if caught without one.
Switzerland
Helmets are not required in Switzerland. However, successful awareness campaigns have made sure that they boast Europe's highest helmet-wearing quota. 6
Italy
Helmets are required for children and teens up to age 18. The police are responsible for the ski patrol and therefore see to it that the law is enforced by performing regular inspections. Those who are caught without a helmet will be faced with having their lift passes taken away and a fine of up to 200 Euro.
France
Helmets are not required here although there are several various campaigns to get children and teens to wear their helmets.
Felix Neureuther, currently Germany's most successful ski racer:
"A helmet is an absolute must. There may not be helmet requirements in some of the alpine countries, but for me, head protection should always be a part of your basic equipment! There's no room for discussion here."
Did you know...
... that ski areas such as the Swiss Gstaad has integrated speed limits, low speed areas and speed traps?
6The perfect ski day: a how-to
guide
A successful ski day involves much more than just a hunger for snow.
ead through the Do's and Dont's for a winning ski trip:
DO's
- Head onto the piste well rested and after a quick warm-up. Remember: "Be cool, warm up!"
- Pay attention to the signposted rules when riding the lift, whether it be a tow lift or chair lift.
- Plan regular breaks and make sure to end the day in a timely manner.
- Know your limits - both your own and those of the pistes.
- Ride defensively and pay attention to the lift times at the valley station.
- Ski sustainably: travel with the bus or train, organise carpools, use the local ski bus in resort and always throw your rubbish away in the designated areas.
Did you know...
... that women injure their knees the most, whereas men injure their torsos and shoulders the most? 7
DONT's
- Do not speed and do not ski aggressively.
- Do not overstrain yourself and do not ski until you are exhausted.
- Eat enough throughout the day, but ideally low-fat and easily digestible food. Drink enough (preferably juice spritzers, fruit tea and mineral water), especially when at high altitudes, as it relieves the strain on your body.
- Do not drink alcohol before and during skiing. Alcohol makes you lose your inhibitions, has a stronger impact when consumed at high altitude and slows down reaction time. Après ski is part of the deal, but as the name suggests: only after skiing!
- Do not leave marked pistes and do not cross blocked avalanche or glacier areas! Never cross the edge of the piste starting from stage 3 avalanche warnings. Observe the warning lights in the ski area and panoramic panels in the valley or at the mountain station, or ask the lift staff.
- Do not ski on blocked or closed pistes during slope preparation. Snowcats secured at rope winches are a high risk of injury!
7Internationally valid signage
The following signs concerning pistes are internationally recognised:
Green piste
Very easy, flat slopes, below 25% incline, practice piste for beginners
Blue piste
Easy pistes, up to 25% incline, for practised skiers
Red piste
Intermediate pistes, up to 40% incline, for practised skiers
Black piste
Challenging pistes, over 40% incline, for experts
Andre Scheid, head coach of the German Race Snowboard Association:
"Not only does a good skier or snowboarder ride better, they have a better understanding of the situation and can react accordingly. A beginner feels rather overwhelmed on new terrain, whereby a good skier or snowboarder should be able to take it into account better."
Did you know...
... that avalanches can reach speeds of up to 300 km/h in especially steep areas?
8Off-piste
More and more freeriders, off-piste, back-country and variant skiers can be found off the marked pistes in the wintry mountains. Here, it's especially important to note the following: the free skiing space demands both respect and the necessary basic alpine knowledge. This includes responsibility, skill, and experience as well as proper training. You also need special equipment and additional emergency equipment that you have to be able to control reliably - especially in serious situations.
Caution on the open terrain
You have to be able to assess the regional avalanche warning system, the slope gradient, snow layering, exposures and signs of danger, and convey all of it to your surroundings. With that in mind, trail-making, the choice of route and the tactics for the descent have to be decided. Look out for alarm signals such as avalanche dispersions, triggering avalances on neighbouring slopes, cracks when stepping on the snow cover, dully rumbling noises or a soaked snow cover.
Avalanche levels
At level 1, the risk of an avalanche is quite low. The triggering of an avalanche is only possible when met with excessive force, like through a group, for example. The conditions are overall favourable. Nevertheless, steep slopes are to be rode on individually.
At level 2, the risk of an avalanche is moderate. The triggering of an avalanche is possible when met with excessive force on steep slopes. A majority of the snow conditions are favourable. Nevertheless, be careful when selecting the routes you wish to take.
At level 3, the risk of an avalanche is substantial. The triggering of an avalanche is possible when met with little force, such as through one person alone. Overall, the situation is critical. Be careful when selecting the route you wish to take and avoid steep slopes and associated exposures.
At level 4, the risk of an avalanche is high. The triggering of an avalanche is probable when met with little force. The situation is acute, and from this level on, it's suggested to stay on the piste.
At level 5, the risk of an avalanche is very high. Spontaneous avalanches are to be expected, even in moderately steep areas. The situation is catastrophic. Freeriding and touring are absolutely not possible!
André Roch, alpinist:
"Watch out, experts! An avalanche doesn't know that you're an expert..." 8
Did you know...
... that 6 out of 10 injured skiers and 7 out of 10 injured snowboarders are male? 9
9What to do in emergencies
According to the FIS rules, you are required to help during an accident. This
emergency checklist can help support you in serious situations. Be sure to
prepare yourself ahead of time before heading out to ski.
- Keep calm and secure the accident area - and yourself.
- Offer help and keep the injured individual warm.
- Inform rescue services via the SOS emergncy number 112 (international). Other options include 140 in Austria, 1414 in Switzerland, 118 in Italy/Southern Tyrol or use the local cable car station (view piste map).
- Answer the following questions: Who reported the accident? What happened? How many injured are there? When did it happen? Where exactly did it happen? What is the weather currently like at the accident site?
- Be sure to leave your phone on and exchange IDs.
Prof. Hanns-Michael Hölz, President of the German Snowboard Association:
"Many accidents occur due to lack of perception - whether it be because you don't asses a light and shadow effect quickly enough or another skier or snowboarder noticed too late. Active thinking is needed here along with an awareness tha you are currently moving through nature. Independence also plays a role here: when reviewing mistakes, one should begin with reviewing themselves. With accidents, a lack of experience, material and fitness are also to be taken into account."
10On the go with children
In general, children will require equipment that is just as fitting, safe and high-quality as an adult's equipment.
- Children get colds at cooler tempuratures than adults. That's why they'll need a fitting and functional set of equipment with high safety standards.
- Children's clothing should meet the exact size required for the child and be quite visible in the snow. Avoid fluttering items such as scarves or cords, and do not dress your child too warm as this could lead to overheating. Keep an extra hat, gloves and sunscreen in mind. Furthermore, children should be sure to stay hydrated.
- Don't buy ski boots that are too large, as the distribution of power and energy on the ski is less than optimal. For children, be sure to use a back protector and helmet (CE Standard 1077) with a chin guard that protects the mouth area. Strap ski goggles to the helmet so that they do not get lost.
- The length of the ski should reach up to the underarm at the least and not go above the shoulder. Ski poles are more of a burden than a help as a beginner and are therefore usually given after a specific level of experience has been reached.
- Children learn best through imitation: you as a parent should also wear a helmet and follow the FIS rules in order to set a good example.
- Please do not use a leash on your child while skiing. While it may stop your child, it also stops them from learning. Generally, carving skis are good for children to learn with.
- Let the bindings be adjusted by an expert. As children learn and grow quickly, the bindings may need to be readjusted during the season.
- Place your children in ski school between the ages of 3 and 4 at the earliest. Here, they'll learn how to ski best, all the while having fun in special courses designed just for children on an appropriate practice piste.
- Children under 125 cm tall are not permitted to used the chair lift, as the automatic lifting function of the lift itself does not support such small body sizes.
- Please be aware that children cannot adjust as quickly as adults to the alpine altitudes, and that the pressure equalisation takes longer. Small children should only be brought up to a maxiumum altitude of 1,500 m. Take action should you start noticing listlessness and tiredness, as these could be the first indicators of high altitude intolerance.
- Give your child a note with your contact details written down, so that they can be used if need be.
- For children, seasonal equipment hire leasing would be something to consider. Exchange platforms are also an option. Be sure to keep an eye out for the compliance of standards with equipment.
Felix Neureuther, currently Germany's most successful ski racer:
"I personally teach children to compare the piste with driving on the road, and to view skiers as being the drivers. However, instead of traffic lights or crosswalks, there are other rules we need to pay attention to. To remember these rules, children can play games on the practise piste, which tends to work out quite well, such as: