Ski Safety: A Short Guide

It is common knowledge to most people that skiing can be extremely dangerous. Unless you take adequate precautions, the risks involved can be very high. A lot of beginner and intermediate level skiers fail to take heed of the warnings and end up causing themselves, and sometimes other people, injuries. The risk can be significantly reduced if only skiers listen to advice and prepare themselves fully for their time on the slopes.

It is a given that once you have spent a large amount of money on a skiing holiday, you really don't want to spend it cooped up in your chalet while the rest of your family are having fun. Follow the safety guidelines below to ensure that this doesn't happen.

Equipment - When skiing, it is vitally important that not only do you make sure you have the right equipment; but also that the equipment that you will be using is suited to your dimensions and ability. As skis in particular are designed for the specific heights, weights and abilities of their users, you must be completely honest with the person you are hiring from as to your dimensions and skiing ability. Skis are designed to specific DIN release settings; the DIN is the release level of the skis. A low DIN means the skis will release easily, a high DIN is the opposite. To determine the DIN settings you require the fitter will need to know your exact weight and ability.

On-Piste - The FIS (in English the International Skiing Federation) has drawn up guidelines that are legally binding with regards to skiing in a public environment. It is advisable to take a look at those guidelines before you head out onto the slopes. The most important rule that they state is that the skier in front of you always has priority. In summary, the other rules that are discussed are to always be in control of your speed and never ski in a dangerous manner, never stop in the middle of a slope, always alert others of your actions if, for example, you are wishing to overtake then you should let the person in front know.

Off-Piste - Although skiing professionals advise against going off-piste to anyone that isn't a seasoned expert skier; many people have the desire to explore the snowy wilderness without the big crowds. If you are considering it, and even if you are a professional skier, you must seek the help of an experienced guide as not only can you quite easily get lost, but you could also ski off the edge of a mountain without even knowing it was there. A compass is another must have, plus an avalanche transceiver, which could save your life.