“Be a more considerate skier”
In every ski resort, and on every mountain, there`s always at least one impolite skier ruining it for everyone else — jumping the queue for the ski lift, or barging in front of you on the piste like they just don`t care. You don`t want to be this person — apart from anything else, you might get chucked off the slopes! So if you want to continue to enjoy your skiing holiday in safety, follow these tips on ski etiquette.
Don`t ski on closed trails. If you thought that ducking under the barrier that sections off closed trails makes you look dead cool and daring, you`d be wrong. Trails are closed off for a reason. Off-piste areas are closed off because they are too dangerous for even Olympic-standard skiers to ski down. Whatever your reasons for wanting to do this, taking on closed trails aren`t worth getting chucked off the mountain, and it certainly isn`t worth getting hurt or killed.
Use a cell phone or hand held radio to communicate with the other members of your skiing party. If you`ve arranged to meet people at a certain time, try your best to keep to that agreement. However, remember what the old proverb says about the best laid plans – lift lines can be long, falls can happen, and trails can take longer to ski than expected. In case of a delay, call, send a text, or talk to them on a walkie talkie so that you don`t cause anyone unnecessary worry.
Keep your speed under control. While the Winter Olympics would certainly seem to be encouraging skiers to go as fast as they possibly can, there`s a time and place for it, and that time or place is definitely not on a beginner`s trail when it is busy. There are special trails at most ski resorts reserved for speed skiing, and you should restrict your speed lust to those courses alone. Skiing too fast can make for a warning by the ski patrol, so make sure that you always stay in control and keep your speed in check.
Be good in your gondola. Even if a gondola car is particularly large, it can still get pretty packed in there at busy times. A little politeness can go a long way in an enclosed space. Above all else, don`t be tempted to light up, as not only is this very inconsiderate of your fellow passengers, it is also usually against slope rules to do so. Also, mind your language and don`t carry out conversations of a personal nature.
Ski on trails that match your ability level. If you aren`t an experienced skier, don`t try to show off by going on the more difficult slopes, as you may be putting yourself and others in danger. Even, if you`re an advanced skier, don`t be afraid to enjoy the gentler terrain, as long as you show some consideration for the less experienced skiers around you — remember what it was like when you were a beginner!
Now you`re au fait with slope etiquette, you`re ready to set off on your skiing trip. Try Alpine Elements for some great ski deals.