metro paper 13th jan

Read an article in the metro today that says that the british would like breath tests on the slopes as drinking an issue on the slopes, speed limits on the pistes with speed cameras to enforce it and helmets for all skiers.
I tried to link the article but my i.t. skills not up to it.
My humble opinion is helmet debate has been flogged to death here and let's agree its a personal choice. I think if every one followed the code of conduct on the slopes it would be fantastic and like driving if you take a defensive attitude there's never an issue. It does not say where this information has come from but its like the nanny state on steroids.
Does anybody think drinking and speeds a huge issue or has got worse in recent seasons?

Personally, no. I don't think I have ever seen anyone drunk on the slopes, or over a legal limit. Speeding, define it? Fast clearly out of control, see it quite a bit. Fast, tme thinnkin gee that guy is fast - all the time.

How would it be enforced? Ski patrol with blue light on their head?

This will never get up there with lids because everyone knows that wearing a lid is the right thing to do....

Sounds daft to me, i too have never encountered anyone drunk on the slopes.....

I've actually come across quite a lot of drunk skiers in Mayrhofen. Germans and Dutch mainly who go up the mountain in large groups of men, drink in the sun all day, and then ski off mid afternoon.
In fact I was crashed into by a Danish guy who was off his head. He tried to ski a hard red which had moguled badly, got it wrong and hurtled through the air at 50mph straight towards me. Luckily all that was damaged was my pole, but another 3 inches the other way and that would have been my skiing days over.
He was totally drunk, thought it highly amusing, but paid me 50 euros for some new poles.

Personally I dont see it often enough to think its a big problem, despite that incident. I always think I am aware enough to spot bad skiers or dangerous people, drunk or not, and give them a wide berth. But that incident made me realise, just like driving, that no matter how conscious and aware you are, someone else can always mess things up for you.

My personal opinion is you cannot enforce drunk skiing laws. Maybe if people report bad skiers to lifties they can do something to get them off the slopes: Ive seen people in Italy had lift passes confiscated for messing about.

As for helmets, dont get me started!!! Its a matter of personal choice and thats the way it should be. Although I do think beginners should be made to wear them, along with bright orange bibs so we all know where the numpties are, and maybe a bell that rings when they ski on their helmets, or a flashing light like a pistey basher...... just kidding :wink:

Speeding.....what is speeding? There is no limit. Dangerous skiing is one thing, skiing fast is different. I like to ski fast, but I only open up when I can see the slope in front is clear and its safe to do so. It can scare timid skiers when someone flies past them at high speed, and I do think sometimes good skiers like to show off a bit and fly past people and shower them in snow for what might seem a laugh, but if someone steps out......well, we all know the score.




In summary, I dont see any of these points being any more relative than they ever have been before, and its just a newspaper filling some space with a little bit of sensationalism.

If you are good enough to ski fast, enjoy it but be safe. Always think of others.

If you want to have a beer or a wine with lunch, why not. I dont personally enjoy drinking whilst skiing, I like to drink after a days skiing, but as long as its not done to excess......

And give people the choice of wearing a helmet or not. Those that feel wearing a lid makes them indestructible or immune to harm, you're wrong. Those that do it for their own safety, fair play. Those that dont wear a lid, thats up to you and you do what you're happy with.

Lets all try to carry on enjoying our skiing without turning it all of a sudden into a problematic past time that needs journalists sticking their unwelcome noses into.

Tony_H wrote:
Speeding.....what is speeding? There is no limit. Dangerous skiing is one thing, skiing fast is different. I like to ski fast, but I only open up when I can see the slope in front is clear and its safe to do so. It can scare timid skiers when someone flies past them at high speed, and I do think sometimes good skiers like to show off a bit and fly past people and shower them in snow for what might seem a laugh, but if someone steps out......well, we all know the score.

And give people the choice of wearing a helmet or not. Those that do it for their own safety, fair play.

Totally with you on the speeding :thumbup:, also the lid - that is why i wear one ;)

Tony_H wrote:
As for helmets, dont get me started!!! Its a matter of personal choice and thats the way it should be. Although I do think beginners should be made to wear them

As it is with Skydiving.
Beginners start with helmets and can only jump without one after acheiveing 200 skydives. Unless you jump in the states then you can wear what you want.

But the problem with Skiing is their is no central body that governs the sport and sets the rules.

Sorry :oops:

Lid conversation is starting ;)