The importance of preparation.
CAUTION
Alcohol consumed whilst participating in snowsports could affect your reaction times. Enjoying a tipple on the slopes, whilst enjoyable can lead to bigger issues you may be unaware of. In some contries alcohol consumption over a certain amount can invalidate your insurance if you require emercengy care due to a collison. Alternatively if the police are involved they could alcohol or drug test you.
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Be suitably equipped.
Being well equipped for the slopes doesn't mean you need the most expensive gear on the market. But making sure that what you do have is going to keep you warm and protected from the elements. Follow the list below for a strong start to you packing list:
It may come as a surprise, but you can get burnt in the winter from high levels of UV ray reflection from the snow or from very windy conditions so protection is key.
Hydrate, refuel, hydrate.
It's very easy to think that downhill skiing/snowboarding doesn't require a lot of energy because it's all downhill ... well this is a big misconception. It's a sport most people undertake infrequently and uses multiple muscle groups with virtually consistent movement. the average adult will burn around 340-400 calories per hour of moderate intensity skiing. Your body also needs to keep you consistently warm by responding to the colder environments, so adequately rehydrating and refueling is a must.
Drink fluids regularly when on the hill, preferably water or an electrolyte drink. Avoid fizzy drinks as these contain a lot of sugar/artificial sweetners that dehydrate you further.
Keep some high energy bars with you, or stop regularly if you're in a resort to refuel at the rest stops. No one will complain about a hot chocolate stop!
Ensure you enjoy every moment of your time in the snow by following and remembering these key messages
Be physically prepared for your trip.
Train well before you leave for the snow including core strength, cardiovascular activities and flexibility in your daily movement routine. This will help lower the liklihood of old injuries reoccuring. There are many really useful apps available to help you keep on track. The lovely people at SkiFit have given us a code to share with you.
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Remember to hydrate and eat well in the evenings and rest – altitude and snowsports are very physically draining.
Do you know all the safety signs?
Ski patrol are responsible for opening and securing the slopes each morning by controlled early morning bombing, putting up safety signs and marking obstacles. They cannot enforce though that people read the signs.
Did you know your insurance is void if you have an accident on an closed slope?
If you descend a slope that is closed you put yourself and others at risk.
Ski patrol only shut slopes because they are considered to be too dangerous for the public; lack of snow, rocks, sheet ice/extremely hard snow or avalanche danger.
The 10 FIS rules of conduct for Skiers and Snowboarders.
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation(FIS) is the governing body for international skiing and snowboarding. They outline the following rules to ensure everyone is safe- and respects the environment.
1. Respect for others
A skier or snowboarder must behave in such a way that hedoes not endanger or prejudice others.Skiers and snowboarders are responsible not only for their behaviour but also for their defective equipment. This rule also applies to those using the newly developed material. For those who rent, they must choose the proper equipment suitable for their skiing level. For example, a beginner skier must beware of getting theAtomic Redster G9, that is good only for expert skiers with good skills.
2. Control of speed and skiing or snowboarding
A skier or snowboardermust move in control.He must adapt his speed and manner of skiing or snowboarding to his personal ability and to the prevailing conditions of terrain, snow and weather as well as to the density of traffic. Collisions usually happen because skiers or snowboarders are moving too fast, out of control or have failed to see others. A skier or snowboardermust be able to stop,turn and move within the ambit of his own vision. In crowded areas or in places where visibility is reduced, skiers and snowboarders must move slowly especially at the edge of a steep slope, at the bottom of a slope and within areas surrounding ski lifts.
3.Choice of route
A skier or snowboarder coming from behindmust choose his route in such a way that he does not endanger skiers or snowboarders ahead.Skiing and snowboarding are free activity sports, where everyone may move where and as they please, provided that they abide by these rules and adapt their skiing and snowboarding to their personal ability and to the prevailing conditions on the mountain.The skier or snowboarder in front has priority.The skier or snowboarder moving behind another in the same direction must keep sufficient distance between himself and the other skier or snowboarder so as to leave the preceding skier or snowboarder enough space to make all his movements freely.
4.Overtaking
A skier or snowboarder may overtake another skier or snowboarder above or below and to the right or to the left provided that heleaves enough space for the overtaken skier or snowboarder to make any voluntary or involuntary movement.A skier or snowboarder who overtakes another is wholly responsible for completing that manoeuvre in such a way to cause no difficulty to the skier or snowboarder being overtaken. This responsibility rests with him until the overtaking manoeuvre has been completed. This rule applies even when overtaking a stationary skier or snowboarder.
5.Entering, starting and moving upwards
A skier or snowboarder entering a marked run, starting again after stopping or moving upwards on the slopesmust look up and down the slopesthat he can do so without endangering himself or others. Experience proves that joining a slope or starting again after stopping is the sources of accidents. It is absolutely essential that a skier or snowboarder finding himself in this situationenters the slope safelyand without causing an obstruction or danger to himself or others. When he has started skiing or snowboarding properly again – even slowly – he has the benefit of rule 3 as against faster skiers and snowboarders coming from above or behind. The development of carving skis and snowboards allows their users to carve and turn upwards on the slopes. Hence they move opposite to the general downhill traffic. They must, therefore, make sure in time that they can do so without endangering themselves and others.
6.Stopping on the slope
Unless absolutely necessary, a skier or snowboardermust avoid stopping on the slope in narrow places or where visibility is restricted.After a fall in such a place, a skier or snowboarder must move and clear of the slope as soon as possible. Except on wide slopes, stops must be made at the side of the slope. One must not stop in narrow places or where it is difficult to be seen from above.
7.Climbing and descending on foot
A skier or snowboarder either climbing or descending on footmust keep to the side of the slope.Moving against the general direction poses unexpected obstacles for the skiers and snowboarders. Footprints damage the slope and can cause danger to skiers and snowboarders.
8.Respect for signs and markings
A skier or snowboarder must respect all signs and markings. The degree of difficulty of a slope is indicated in black, red, blue or green. A skier or snowboarder is free to choose whichever slope he wants. The slopes are also marked with other signs showing direction or giving warnings of danger or closure. A sign closing a slope, like one denoting danger, must be strictly observed.Skiers and snowboarders should be aware that warning signs are posted in their own interests.
9. Assistance
At accidents, every skier or snowboarder is duty-bound to assist.It is a cardinal principle for all sportsmenthat they should render assistance following an accident independent of any legal obligation to do so.Immediate First Aidshould be given, the appropriate authorities alerted and the place of the accident marked to warn other skiers and snowboarders. FIS hopes that a hit and run offence in skiing and snowboarding will incur a criminal conviction similar to hit and run an offence on the road and those equivalent penalties will be imposed by all countries where such legislation is not already in force.
10. Identification
Every skier or snowboarder and witness, whether a responsible party or not,must exchange names and addresses following an accident.Witnesses are of great importance in establishing a full and proper report of an accident and therefore everybody must consider that it is the duty as a responsible person to provide information as a witness. Reports of the rescue service and of the police as well as photographs are of considerable assistance in determining civil and criminal liability.
REMEMBER:
Call 112 in an emergency
If you have any questions or concerns, we're always ready to help!
