Staying Safe on Slopes

The worst i see every time, is groups of skiers (usually in lessons, but not always) snaking down a piste or tight track leaving absolutely no room for anybody else to pass. Dont go edge to edge, leave some room at the edges for others (boarders and skiers alike) to pass (safely).

pavelski wrote: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!

That's no different in any country including America or Canada, instructors do other jobs in the summer. In most European countries, unlike America, it's actually the law that ski instructors (along with mountain guides and mountain leaders) are qualified.

boardbiker wrote:The worst i see every time, is groups of skiers (usually in lessons, but not always) snaking down a piste or tight track leaving absolutely no room for anybody else to pass. Dont go edge to edge, leave some room at the edges for others (boarders and skiers alike) to pass (safely).

I totally agree with this. However, all the instructors I've had, have told us to keep to one side of the piste (where possible) and leave room for others to overtake. But what I really object to, is people ski-ing or boarding through the middle of a lesson line. I think it's very dangerous, and it puts you off and upsets the whole line.

Ise,
I'm sure all my instructors have been qualified, it's just that I think some of them have become fed up with trying to teach their pupils (I've seen a lot of people who simply refuse to listen to the instructor, and I've wondered at times why they're in lessons at all) and hence don't give them a safety lesson.
For me, safety is my number one priority. Firstly my own safety, and then the safety of everyone else. After safety and control comes enjoyment.

Pavelski,
One day, perhaps, I will be a good enough skier so that I don't feel I need any more lessons - apart perhaps from one private lesson each holiday to make sure I haven't picked up any bad habits without noticing it :D
But unfortunately I have a long way to go yet :cry:

Ally

All very good points, things that a few years ago were taught to every beginner. They just don't seem to teach slope safety anymore, which in the blame culture we now live seems strange.

A couple of years ago we nearly took out a group of snowboarders, they were sitting just beyond ridge completely obscured. We were skiing fairly quickly, but we're good enough skiers to take avoiding action in the split second we had to react. Had we been less skilled there probably would have been a big accident.
The scary bit of the story however was that this group of snowboarders were with a ESF instructor and were in the middle of a lesson.

One thing I would add to what has already been said it always look up the slope before setting off. I see so many people go without looking it's an accident waiting to happen.