16 Safety Rules Ski Resort Staff Wants Their Guests To Follow

Ski rules are made to protect us rather than limit our actions on the slope. These rules are made to let us enjoy the full potential of the sport without us hanging in the balance when we come face to face with circumstances beyond our control.

In other words, rules educate us to become more accountable individuals while sharing the slope with other skiers.

Skiing and snowboarding would be that much harder (and more dangerous) for the 130 million skiers visiting 6,000 ski resorts in more than 60 countries without these rules. And, yes, these numbers are set to increase with the addition of more and more ski resorts from previously unknown locations, such as Cyprus, Israel, and Pakistan according to research author Laurent Vanat.

So before you beat others to the milk run, be guided by these 15 safety rules ski resort staff wants their guests to follow first.

16 Obey All Warning Signs Without Exception

More often than not, warnings that are written on brightly colored signs in or around the resort signify grave danger, such as a stiff drop, or a routinely occurring event, such as an avalanche.

Ignoring these signs will more likely cut short your dream skiing escapade in a hard way.

15 Never Set Off Without Wearing Complete Protective Gear

A ski slope is as dangerous as a war zone. You'll never know when you are going to fall. You'll never know when you are going to be hit by a careless skier flying downhill.

To always be on the safe side of things, always put your protective gear on.

14 Stay Sharp On The Slopes All The Time

A moving body keeps moving unless acted upon by an outside force. That said, imagine yourself speeding downhill then hitting a tree say at 40 mph when you should've been going 15 mph.

Not knowing oneself is an accident waiting to happen. Being sharp means always being in control.

Skiers racing each other down the slope, or maybe some careless newbies who think speeding down the slope will make them super cool, can be dangerous. These instances will certainly make for an unpleasant scene when other skiers hide out in blind spots and narrow areas of the slope.

Never stay in those areas.

12 If Stopping During A Downhill Run Is Inevitable, Steer Clear Of The Trail Right Away

The slope, in general, is meant for mobile skiers. Never attempt to stop at any point during your downhill run.

But if stopping is really necessary, give those behind you a hint that you are. The next thing is to scram out of harm's way as fast as you can.

11 Give Way To Skiers Upwards Of You Before Merging Into The Trail

Merging into the traffic? Just like driving on the road, you have to look either to your left or to your right first depending on which side of the slope you are coming from.

Give way to all skiers upwards you first before you attempt to merge into the traffic.

10 Unless Seriously Injured, Move Out Of The Way Immediately After Falling Over

Falling over while skiing is not a big deal but doing nothing as if nothing happened after falling down is.

Staying where you fell can cause not only more harm to yourself but to other skiers going your way as well. Unless you're seriously injured, get out of harm's way immediately.

9 Acquaint Yourself To Any Lift First Before Using It

Straightforward as they may seem, ski lifts can become randomly mean. They can catapult anybody to that dreadful 'that guy' stardom right away without warning.

So if you don't want that instant ski lift celebrity status, spare yourself some time to familiarize yourself with the controls first.

8 Walk On The Side When Walking Up Or Down The Trail

Just like on the road, a ski slope is an extremely dangerous place to lose your concentration even just for a split second. Colliding with a speeding skier is no joke.

Oh, did you know that hospitals are nearly non-existent near ski resorts? Remember where to walk on the slope.

7 Looking Up Or Down The Slope Is Required Before Crossing To Avoid Potential Collision

There might not be cars to hit you while crossing the slope but being hit by a speeding skier is not much better.

When skis and bones collide, a first-grader can predict right away what will break and what won't. Cross the slope as if you are crossing the road.

6 Overtaking Is Allowed Provided That Enough Space Between The Skiers Is Observed

Again, this is a situation where a slope can be compared to a highway. There might not be any rule prohibiting a skier from overtaking another, yet there is a rule saying that proper distance should be observed when doing so.

You'll never know what getting too close could bring.

5 Before Making A Run, Watch Out For Tell-Tale Signs Of Avalanche

The last thing you'll ever need while skiing is chased down the slope by a loose layer of snow. Hello, avalanche!

According to Men's Journal, an avalanche is predictable and therefore could be avoided. It gives itself up to those who know how to read the signs, says their expert skier.

4 All Skiers Nearby Are Required To Help During An Accident

Due to the remoteness of most ski resorts, all skiers in the vicinity of the incident must help the injured skier, especially if the person is unconscious.

This brings the survivability rate significantly higher while waiting for the proper medical team to arrive. The injured person needs responders, not spectators.

3 When A Skier Is Injured, Plant A Snowboard Or Crossed Skis To Warn Others

Before rushing in to help an injured skier, tick some safety checkboxes first. Is the slope clear? Is the victim conscious? If unconscious, what should I do?

After satisfying all those questions, that's the time to proceed to step one. Plant a snowboard or cross skis upward of the victim.

2 After Performing The A-B-Cs of First Aid, Provide Nothing But Warmth To The Injured Person

In a skiing emergency, after breathing and circulation are stabilized and wounds bandaged, the protocol calls for the first-aiders to not give anything more than the warmth the victim needs.

Alcohol might be a great way to warm the body, but don't even think about giving it to an injured person.

1 Report The Accident To The Authorities Right Away After Establishing The Facts

Fact establishment is crucial in dealing with skiing accident. All people involved must exchange important personal details, including the witness or witnesses.

After fact gathering, report the incident to the proper authorities. Familiarize yourself with the number of the local police and always bring with you a fully charged phone.

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