Austria's ski season has recently started, and people are travelling from all over the world to enjoy the country's many slopes.
While hitting the slopes is thrilling, safety and civility should always be considered — not just for your own enjoyment but to ensure the safety of others as well.
Many slopes tend to be crowded during the winter season, and it is important to respect both the written and unwritten rules.
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Safety first
Proper equipment, such as helmets, is a must, but it is just as important to ensure the safety of others on the slopes.
Common sense, widely accepted guidelines and some rules according to the FIS rules of the International Ski Federation and the POE (draft slope regulations of the Austrian Curatorship for Alpine Safety)—serve as the foundation for responsible skiing.
Here is what the rules say:
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Respect for others
Always ski or snowboard in a way that does not put others in dangerous situations. -
Control your speed and ski responsibly
Adapt your speed and skiing style to match your abilities, the terrain, the weather, and the crowdedness of the slope. -
Priority of direction
Skiers and snowboarders in front of you have the right of way. Plan your path to avoid them. -
Overtake with caution
You can pass others uphill or downhill, to the left or right, but always leave enough space to avoid collisions. -
Entering, starting, and turning
When joining a slope or making a turn, check uphill and downhill traffic to ensure safety. -
Avoid stopping on narrow or blind spots
Only stop in visible, broad areas. If you fall, clear the slope as quickly as possible. -
Walk only on the edge of the slope
Skiers ascending or descending on foot should stick to the edge of the slope to avoid accidents. -
Respect signs and markings
Follow all slope markings, flags, and warning signs. -
Help others in need
Provide assistance to anyone injured and alert the ski patrol if necessary. -
Identification
If involved in or witnessing an accident, you must provide your name and contact details.
READ MORE: The best ski resorts in Austria for families this winter
What penalties should you expect if you break these rules?
Although these rules are not official laws, they are still enforceable.
It may be considered gross negligence if you break them and are caught (which is likely on a busy slope). This means you could be held responsible for covering some or even all the costs of damages.
Judges often refer to the rules when deciding on penalties if your negligent behaviour causes a skiing accident that ends up in court.
In Austria, an average of 20 percent of those responsible for an accident leave the accident scene without taking any further action. This constitutes a hit-and-run and can have criminal consequences.
Even abandoning an injured person is punishable by up to three years in prison.
Other possible dangers you could create
If you ski off-piste in Austria and trigger an avalanche that endangers others, you could face legal consequences under Austrian law. This could include charges for endangering public safety or violating local regulations related to mountain safety.
If the avalanche goes beyond endangering people and causes injuries or fatalities, you could be charged with negligent bodily harm or even negligent homicide, depending on the severity of the consequences.
In 2011, for example, a man was charged with manslaughter after his actions during a ski tour triggered an avalanche that buried and killed his wife.
What about the behaviour outside of the slopes?
Austrians are known for their strong sense of organisation and respect for others, but even here, queuing at ski resorts can sometimes test people’s patience.
Crowded ski resorts—especially during peak times—can bring out some not so polite behaviour. This might involve people cutting in line or trying to get ahead when buying ski passes or taking lifts.
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