Skier's Decalogue

Since the 50s the skiing practice has known an extraordinary development in the whole alpine area, becoming at all effects a sport for everyone. That's why it is very important to know and respect some common security rules.

The Skier's Decalogue approved in Beirut in 1967 by the International Ski Federation is the most complete and organic set of rules on how we should behave on the skiing slopes.

1. Respect for others:
   Every skier should behave so that he is not putting in danger other persons or things.
2. Perfect control of the speed and of one's behavior:
   Every skier has to keep a speed and a behavior adequate to his own skills and to the general conditions of the slopes, of the clear view and traffic intensity.
3. Choosing the right direction:
   The upstream skier has the possibility to chose the trail and has to keep a direction in order to avoid collision risks with the downstream skier.
4. Overtaking:
   A skier can overtake another (with sufficient space and visibility) either in upstream or in downstream, either on the right or on the left, but always at a distance that helps avoiding getting in the way of the overtaken skier.
5. Introduction and crossing:
   The skier that introduces himself in a slope or one that restarts after a break, has to make sure to do this without danger for himself or the others; in the crossings the skier has to give way to the skiers coming from his right or according to other existing indications.
6. The stop:
   The skier should avoid stopping, except when really needed, in the obligated or limited visibility passages.
7. Moving uphill
   In case of urgent need of moving uphill or downhill by foot, the skiers has to stick to the borders of the slope.
8. Respect of the signaling:
   All skiers have to respect foreseen signs for the skiing slopes and particularly the obligatory use of helmet for children under 14.
9. Rescue:
   Everybody should be ready to rescue in case of accident.
10. Identification:
    Anybody involved in an accident or is a witness has to identify himself by giving own particulars.

The signs
Besides the 10 rules, this decree engages the ski area administrations to provide adequate signs within the statutes and laws of the provinces Bolzano and Trento.
The signs are partially similar to the road signs: for example, the one indicating a bottleneck, or the exclamation point indicating a generic danger, or the crossing, the dangerous curve to the right or left, the slope declension and so on. Among the signs of danger there is also the one - of a triangular form - that advices against falling out (represented by a person that plunges off the slope) or advising the presence of a crevasse or a bump, or inviting to pay attention to the snowmobiles.
The signs of information of a squared form are seven and are used to represent: the rescue point, the rescue call point, cross country slope for the classic technique and the cross country slope for the free technique, the snowboard slope, the skiing center or a winter path.
The obligation signs are three: to follow a particular direction, to use the snowboard or the protective helmet for children under 14.
Then there are also seven prohibition signs: from the one that bans walking on the slope to the one banning the use of the sledge, the ski-bob or the snowboard, banned access, banned skiing in the wood or skiing at all.
And, last but not least, signs of warning for skiers that are going where they should not: a rectangular sign with an open hand and the "Stop. Avalanche danger"
inscription in 4 languages (Italian, German, French and English).

Other tips and tricks...
For the snowboarders
Always check the space on your right and left before changing direction because the visibility field is reduced.
Always secure your leg to the board by a strap.
While being on a chair lift take off the strap in order to free the leg on the board.

For the off-piste hikers
Always take with you ARVA - the electronic device that allows you to be reached in case of avalanches.
Never go alone, it's advisable you go in group of 4/5 persons.
Communicate to others your trip's destination and duration.
Take with you an expert guide that knows very well the territory.