Ski Safety Guidelines

Skiing is an exhilarating and enjoyable winter sport, but like any outdoor activity, it comes with inherent risks. This Skiing Safety Handbook aims to provide essential guidelines and tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable skiing experience for all.

1. Equipment Safety

Bindings: Ensure bindings are correctly adjusted to your DIN setting by a certified technician.
Boots: Wear well-fitted, supportive ski boots that provide ankle and foot stability.
Helmet: Always wear a ski helmet to protect against head injuries.
Goggles: Use goggles to protect your eyes from wind, sun, and snow glare.
Clothing: Dress in layers to stay warm, dry, and comfortable. Use waterproof and breathable outerwear.

2. Slope Safety

Trail Markings: Observe and obey trail signs and markings indicating difficulty levels (green for beginner, blue for intermediate, black for advanced). Pay special attention to areas marked out of bounds, there may be unknown hazards such as cliffs or crevasses. Ski patrol may be blasting for avalanches. You could be seriously injured or have your ski pass taken away.
Speed Control: Ski at a speed that allows you to maintain control, especially in crowded or icy conditions.
Right of Way: Uphill skiers have the right of way. Always yield to skiers below you and when merging onto trails.
Moguls: Approach moguls with caution and maintain a balanced posture to navigate them safely.
If you need to stop and take a break do so on the side of the slope in a highly visible area. Do not stop after the lip of the slope or behind a jump where incoming skiers cannot see you ahead of time.
If someone falls and is injured, mark their position up hill of them with crossed poles or skis standing out of the snow so oncoming skiers are aware of their presence.

3. Lift Safety

Loading/Unloading: Pay attention to lift attendants' instructions. Keep ski tips up when loading and unloading.
Safety Bar: Lower the safety bar when riding chairlifts or gondolas.
Children: Supervise children at all times and ensure they are seated properly on lifts.

4. Weather Awareness

Forecast: Check weather forecasts and be prepared for changing conditions.
Visibility: Use goggles with appropriate lenses for varying light conditions.
Wind Chill: Be aware of wind chill factors and protect exposed skin to prevent frostbite.

5. Avalanche Safety

Awareness: Educate yourself about avalanche risks and terrain before venturing off-piste.
Equipment: Carry avalanche safety gear, including a beacon, probe, and shovel, and know how to use them.
Group Safety: Ski with a partner, stay within sight, and communicate potential risks and plans.

6. Personal Safety

Hydration: Stay hydrated by drinking water regularly, even if you don't feel thirsty.
Rest Breaks: Take breaks as needed to rest and refuel.
Physical Fitness: Maintain good physical fitness and know your limits to prevent fatigue-related injuries.

7. Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Contacts: Carry identification and have emergency contact information readily available.
First Aid Kit: If venturing off piste or skiing in the backcountry, pack a small first aid kit with essentials like bandages, pain relievers, and blister treatments.
Safety Training: Consider taking a basic first aid and CPR course to be prepared for emergencies.