Going skiing? Here’s how to stay safe on the pistes
Fresh air, beautiful scenery and an exciting activity for all the family: snow holidays are excellent fun and create fantastic memories. But whether or not its your first family skiing holiday, taking children out on the slopes – especially during busy times – can feel a little daunting. Piste X Code has been created to help make the pistes safer. It is a set of guidelines to remind mountain-goers of the principles of safe on-piste skiing and snowboarding, with the aim of reducing unnecessary accidents in ski resorts.If you’ve got a snow holiday planned, take a moment to familiarise yourself with Piste X Code, and, if your children are already learning to ski, why not share the code with them so they can learn how to stay safe on the slopes too.
The Piste X Code campaign was launched in advance of the busy February holiday weeks by two mums in the local community of the popular mountain resort of Morzine, in the Portes du Soleil, France.
Amie Henderson and Louise Paley were driven to start Piste X Code after recent tragedies on the slopes. Feeling that so many accidents are completely avoidable, they were spurred into action to launch a campaign to remind people of the rules of the pistes.Piste X Code is a list of eight ways you can keep yourself, your children and others safe on the pistes. A powerful video demonstrates each point, combined with fun animation and a Yeti mascot named Monty to make the concept more appealing to children.
The rules are simple, but many skiers and snowboarders are not taught these rules of the piste in lessons or are self taught and skipped lessons all together, that’s why Piste X Code is important for all piste users.
Check out Piste X Code, stay safe on the pistes and have a fabulous time skiing!
KNOW THE CODE
PISTE X CODE:
Ski & snowboard within your ability
Control your speed at all times and do all you can to avoid other mountain users.
Consider your choice of path
The downhill skier or snowboarder always has the right of way. It’s your responsibility to avoid them. Leave space while passing.
Think about where you’ll stop
Always at the side of the piste, never in the middle! And never beneath the brow of a hill
Be aware of your surroundings
Look up and down the slope before you set off or re-join the piste.
A good example for children
Teach children about piste safety and the importance of the Piste X Code.
Respect piste signs & markings
If a piste is closed, it’s closed for your safety. Watch for signs advising you to slow down.
Your role if there’s an accident
You are duty bound to assist. Cross your skis upright in the snow above the incident and call 112.
What else can you do?
Be sensible with your alcohol consumption, don’t listen to music on the pistes and never use ski apps that challenge your speed.
Already know the rules of the piste? Why not take a moment to do this quick quiz to test your knowledge of the code?
Get involvedThis post is for the Ski Safe Blogger Campaign by AliKats Mountain Holidays and Piste X Code.Bloggers are invited to join the campaign by sharing the Piste X Code for a chance to win a chalet holiday with AliKats Mountain Holidays.
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