Ski Code of Conduct
The safety of yourself and others is paramount to us, which is why we recommend that you observe the International Ski Federation safe skiing code, both on and off-piste.
Respect For Others
You must behave in such a way that you do not endanger others.
Control of Speed and Skiing
You must be in control, and adapt your speed and manner of skiing to your ability and the prevailing conditions of terrain, snow and weather, as well as to the density of other skiers.
Choice of Route
You must choose your route in such a way that, when coming from behind, you do not endanger others ahead.
Overtaking
Make sure that you leave enough room when overtaking others for any voluntary or involuntary movements that they may make.
Entering and Starting
When entering a marked run, or starting again after stopping, make sure that you look both up and down the run to ensure that you can do so without endangering yourself or other skiers.
Stopping on the Piste
Unless absolutely necessary, you must avoid stopping on the piste in narrow places or where visibility is restricted.
Climbing and Descending on Foot
When climbing or descending on foot, you must keep to the sides of the piste.
Respect for Signals and Markings
You must respect all signals and markings.
Assistance
If an accident occurs, every skier is duty bound to assist.
Identification
Following an accident, every skier and witness, whether responsible or not for causing the accident, must exchange names and addresses.
If you leave the marked pistes, it is assumed that you know what you’re doing — and you do it at your own risk.
- Make sure you are allowed to leave the marked runs. In certain areas, especially in North America, back-country skiing is restricted in order to protect important wilderness nature reserves. If you ignore signs, you risk a heavy fine and/or the confiscation of your lift pass.
- Never ski off piste alone. Unless you are really familiar with the route, take an experienced guide. Simply following a set of tracks is no guarantee of safety: conditions change rapidly in the mountains, and the author of the tracks may have been a much stronger skier than yourself — or lost.
- Before setting out, make sure that you are familiar with the resort and the conditions. Routes alter with the seasons and the weather: an enjoyable gully in February might be a roaring torrent in April.
- Make sure that you are aware of the level of avalanche danger and check the weather forecast: being caught off piste in fog or in a blizzard is extremely dangerous.
- If you are venturing into terrain where there may be avalanche danger, make sure you are properly equipped. Each member of the group should carry a working transceiver and you should have at least two collapsible shovels between you. If you are in any doubt about how to use this equipment, you should be skiing with a guide.
- Before you set out, always let someone know where you are going, and agree with them what to do if you don’t return by a specified time.
- Plan your path to avoid walking uphill as much as possible.
- Learn to read the terrain: gentle dips in the snow could hide streams or even crevasses; suspicious bumps could be rocks or tree stumps.
- Make sure your insurance policy covers off-piste skiing. In some countries you will be charged the cost of recovery if you need to be helicoptered out, which doesn’t come cheap.