Staying Safe on Slopes

Skiing season has begun and already I am seeing ski "accidents"

Want to be safe? Want to survive this season here are some "hints"
1. Think of the other skiers. get out of your "bubble" and have a wider field of vision!
2, Know rules of skiing. Cardinal one is,,,skiers above must avoid all others below! That means you must ski in such manner that you can avoid all others below.
3.If in a group (the flock mentality) Try to ski apart at least 5 meters. Not as a school of fish!!!
4.This message is directed at boarders. DO NOT stop and sit in the middle of a run. Do not sit and chat across a run!
5.It is not cool to drink and ski.
6.The goal is skiing is to show control and elegance,,,not how fast you can go down a run!
7.The smart safe skier;
-avoids flocks
-avoids runs where beginners/intermediates/experts converge
-stops near a tree, pole, barrier (it has psychogical effect on beginners)
-keep facing up hill on ski lift lines (many skiers just keep on skiing through life lines)
-skiers come in "waves",,,,try to avoid the crest! Wait for quiet period!

Worst behavior I saw so far this season.
Four boarders sitting across major ski run,,while on was talking on cell phone to,,,,,!

Have fun. be safe!
Respect others!

Well said, Pavel.

You should NEVER stop in the middle of a slope - always at the side. You should also stop vertically not horizontally if in a group.

Also don't fall into the boarders' trap of stopping just over the brow of a hill. Fools!!!

On the last run of the day, when the group is cold, and getting tired, this is a time when accidents can happen. This is the one run of the day, when the best skier waits, and sets off last.

Find out from the lift company, the phone number to call, in the event there is an accident, and put the number in your mobile.

My safety tip:
When in lessons, see if the instructor will agree to having everyone line up below each other (rather than above) when the class stops, because otherwise you're bound to have some clever clogs who's not as good as they think they are crashing into everyone and toppling over the whole line like a pack of cards, and possibly causing a load of minor injuries

Ally

AllyG,
All skiers instructors, when they are trained are told to have ski class line up so last skier goes to BOTTOM of hill as you line up on side! Thus first skier is at top next skier goes below him/her and so on!
This is not a choice. This is an "international acceptable ski school" class procedure!
If an instructor is not requiring this behavior from class he/she is not following "procedures!

Why is this important?

You gave the answer. Stopping at top of class often results in the "domino effect" Hitting top skier who hits second skier and so on!

A smart instructor "creates" a class pool! Any skier who does not follow "rules" must put money into pool (which is used for final class party) at end of week!

Pavelski,
I have been in 6 different ski-ing classes, and only one instructor has made us line up this way. However, once I knew about it, I asked the next instructors if they would also do this, since it made me feel safer, and they quite happily agreed. I didn't know it was supposed to be protocol! Thanks for telling me :D

I have been in several classes with teenage boys, and they can be real 'pests'. Some of them like to show off, and come screaming to a halt, with snow flying everywhere, and if they misjudge it, then - smash into the nearest person and everybody falls over if they join at the top of the line, and it can take ages for everybody to get up because they can be all tangled up.

I also have a 'thing' about keeping the correct stopping distance from the pupil in front. I nearly tripped once, stumbled and recovered myself, only to be hit by my class mate from behind who fell heavily on top of my knee. And my knee swelled up quite badly and I was very worried I wouldn't be able to ski again for the rest of the holiday. However, I put snow on it during the lunch break, and evening and it was okay, although it went a most impressive blue colour!

Do they not teach instructors about 'stopping distances'?

Ally

AllyG,
First, there are instructors and there are "certified" instructors. Most skiers are not aware of the "pin" ! In Europe in many ski resorts ski instructors are local persons who have other Summer jobs and are hired for the tourists.
Always insist in getting a "certified" ski instructor and ask for "papers"! That is qualification and certification levels!

Would you believe a good ski instructor first teaches,,how to fall, how to put on bindings in slopes (many skiers have no idea how to make a "platform"!

The safety of the class is of prime importance to all instructors thus the level of terrain, speed and danger level must be "controlled" by instructor!

Adolescence is exactly as you described. It is up to parents to "control" or guide such "boys" If in class,,then it is up to instructor! They have no "idea" of the lurking danger until it pounces! Then they call, "mother"!

As far as "stopping distance" there are several "exercises" that are shown to instructors to help classes manage distance and speed. The very best one is using students as Slalom poles and have class watch as others go in and out of those poles! It teaches students to avoid poles (people), to direct skis and yes to stop! Typivally all students must be 3-4 meters away from each other!

Have you considered "private" classes since yes it is more expensive but you get more for your euro!!! I suspect you were is a "package" tour trip!!!!

Patience Ally,,soon you will graduate to freedom,,away from the school of skiers. Fresh air awaits you!
Try to survive!