Rules for Skiing

Rules for Skiing

Someone once said “rules are made to be broken,” however, some rules are definitely made to be followed! Anyone who gets behind the wheel of a car, for example, must follow the rules of the road in order to make driving safe and pleasant for everyone. Similarly, anyone who enjoys skiing in places with other skiers should learn a few basic rules of safety and courtesy in order to ensure that skiing is both safe and pleasant. (And it should go without saying that skiing is much more pleasant than commuting in the first place!) These rules may not be formally encoded in the way that driving laws are, however, they remain the same in almost all skiing locations. Here are a few of the most important rules to keep in mind.

• Be aware of your own abilities, and stay in control. Don’t put yourself in situations where you are a danger to yourself or others.
• Obey all posted signs! These will vary from place to place, however they are there for a reason, and ignoring them constitutes a blatant disregard for safety.
• Avoid stopping on or otherwise obstructing the path of other skiers.
• Anyone in front of you has the right of way. It is your responsibility to watch out for them, as they cannot see you.
• If you are merging onto a trail, however, you must look uphill and yield to any oncoming skiers.
• Do not ski under the influence of drugs or alcohol!
• Have care when riding ski lifts. If you are uncertain of how to load your equipment, ask for help before “going for it.”
• If you are involved in or witness an accident, do not leave until you are certain that everyone is okay. Contact the proper authorities if necessary.

For more information on ski safety, check out the Beacon Watch blog or visit our main page!