Ski Club Freshtracks
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Respect the Mountain
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Environment
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Safety
One of the most effective basic ways a skier or snowboarder can Respect the Mountain is to follow the 10 FIS Rules of Conduct :
| Respect | Do not endanger others | |
| Control | Adapt the manner and speed of your skiing/snowboarding to your ability and to the general conditions on the mountain. | |
| Choice of route | The skier/boarder in front has priority. Leave enough space. | |
| Overtaking | Leave plenty of space when overtaking a slower skier/boarder. | |
| Entering and starting | Look up and down the mountain each time before starting or entering a marked run. | |
| Stopping | Only stop at the edge of the piste or where you can actually be seen. Never stop below the brow of a hill where you are hidden. | |
| Climbing | When climbing up or down, always keep to the side of the piste. | |
| Signs | Obey all signs and markings. They are there for your safety. | |
| Assistance | In case of accidents, mark the incident area with crossed skis or a snowboard stuck in the snow, provide help and alert the rescue service. | |
| Identification | All those involved in an accident, including witnesses, should exchange names and addresses. |
If you ensure that you keep this code in mind whenever you're on the slopes, you will be a much safer and more conscientious rider.
Further key points to remember; make sure you know the emergency phone numbers for the hill that you are skiing/snowboarding at in case of emergency. Educate yourself and only get advise from those in the know - guides and instructors have a wealth of useful information and tend to know the mountain like the back of their hand. Lastly, remember that a Reiko strip in your ski pants or jacket is no match for a transceiver, and will not keep you safe in the off-piste or backcountry.
Off-piste or backcountry skiing and snowboarding
Before you set off
Before you venture off-piste make sure the frequency of all of all the transceivers in your are compatible and that batteries in all transceivers work (it is advisable to perform a quick test to ensure transceivers are working efficiently) and will last for the duration of the day. Also, ensure that you have the appropriate amount of clothing to keep you warm, along with extra layers in case the weather turns.
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Conditions: Weather & Snow
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Terrain
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Human Factors
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| Planning your trip | Check the avalanche bulletin | Map | Group members and size |
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Check the weather forecast | Guide Book | Skill level and fitness |
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Obtain any additional information you can | Photographs | Equipment |
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Time Schedules | Responsibility |
| Assessing the local hazard | Precipitation, critical new snow depth | Steepness | Who is in my group |
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Alarm signals | Aspect | Check equipment & transceiver |
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Wind, wind driven snow | What is above/below | Physical condition |
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Air temperature | Ridges? | |
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Topography | |
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Forest | |
| Assessing specific slopes, key passage | Critical new snow depth | Steepness, shape, location&size of slope | Physical and mental fitness |
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Snow quality | Rocky outcrops | Technical ability |
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Recent accumulations of wind driven snow | Elevation and aspect | Group size |
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Radiation Temperatures | Danger of fall and burial | Discipline |
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Poor visibility | Detour possibilities | Leadership |
Factors that increase risk
Conditions
- Recent accumulations of wind driven snow
- Critical depth of new snow
- Snowpack with many different layers
- Substantial warming
- Poor visibility
Terrain
- Bowl shaped terrain
- Unfavourable aspect
- Steep slope above, terrain trap, danger of deep burial
- Near ridge
- Steep terrain with rocky outcrops
- Danger of falling
What to carry - Essential Mountain Gear
Avalanche Transceiver: Transceivers serve two purposes. They emit a continuous signal that can be tracked in case of an avalanche, and you can change it to 'receive' to help locate and rescue anyone caught in the slide.
Avalanche Probe: You need a probe to help locate a person's exact position, i.e. how deeply buried a person may be. Digging off track even by a foot wastes valuable time. In an avalanche situation every moment matters, and lives depend on the speed of rescue.
Avalanche Shovel: Time is essential. Upon locating a buried person a light collapsible shovel will help save someone's life.
Additionally: You should also have on your person; first aid kit, bivouac sack, communication device (phone or radio)
