My 8 year old has been tanking it down the pistes recently and with the Alps at their busiest in February (the pistes are burgeoning with holiday makers) her speed makes me cringe. We’ve had another chat today about the rules of the piste, knowing her limits and the consequences of hitting someone at 30mph.
Whilst I am proud she is turning into a fabulous skier, the ignorance of having never crashed at high speed means her confident has grown ten fold. Dodging the tourists at breakneck speed while straight lining the home run has now become an adrenaline game of cat and mouse. And accordingly to my other half (as I’m now out of action on the slopes) she’s developed an annoyance when someone overtakes her on the piste and follows in hot pursuit intent on trying to snake past them. And this is on Les Grands Montets, the highest and burliest mountain in the Chamonix valley where only the experienced ride. Lesson 1 – lose the attitude.
So a reality check for my 8 year old and a much needed deliberation and re-visitation on piste conduct. Do your kids have spacial awareness whilst skiing? Do they know the rules of the piste?
The International Ski Federation (FIS) have a set of written rules called the ‘Rules of Conduct’ that apply to all pistes users – regardless of whether they’re on skis, a snowboard, tele skis – whatever! If your kids are hooning it down the slopes make sure you make them understand these rules to keep them and everyone around them safe on the slopes.
FIS Rules of Conduct:
1. Respect for other skiers and snowboarders
A skier or snowboarder must behave in such a way that he or she does not endanger or prejudice others.
2. Control of speed and manner of skiing or snowboarding
Every skier or snowboarder must move in control. He or she must adapt the speed and manner of skiing or snowboarding to personal ability and to the prevailing conditions of terrain, snow and weather, as well as to the density of traffic.
3. Choice of route
A skier or snowboarder coming from behind must choose his or her route in such a way not to endanger skiers or snowboarders ahead
4. Overtaking
A skier or snowboarder may overtake another skier or snowboarder above or below and to the right or to the left provided that enough space is left for the overtaken skier or snowboarder to make any voluntary or involuntary movement.
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What a great reminder of the rules! I’m always slightly nervous that someone out of control is going to plow over me. xx
Hi Susanna. I know! Most people skiing or snowboarding are pushing their control limits so it’s normally mistakes from other people that are going to take you out! Or people that congregate to chat in the middle of the piste around a bend – some people lose all common sense on a ski holiday! 🙂