Safety

SLOPES

Reference to laws:

The pistes are regulated by:

• Law nr 263 of 24.12.2003 “Rules relating to safety during the practice of downhill winter sports and cross country”.
• Valle d’Aosta Regional Law nr 27 of 15.11.2004 “Regulations relating to safety in the areas designated to the practice of winter sports”.
• Valle d’Aosta Regional Law nr 9 of 17.03.1992 “Rules relating to public use of ski pistes”
• Valle d’Aosta Regional Law nr 34 of 15.12.2000.

Alpine skiing and snowboarding

Skiing and snowboarding are sporting disciplines that are at risk as other sporting disciplines. Behavioural rules relating to skiing and snowboarding have been provided by FIS and summarise to the rules stated above and are to be considered an outline of the ideal model of behaviour for conscientious, cautious and diligent skiers and snowboarders. Skiers and snowboarders should be aware of and respect the rules. Where rules are unobserved by skiers and snowboarders and an accident occurs, the involved party will be responsible and will have to respond for their actions.

THE SKIER’S RULES GUIDE

Behavioural rules, as provided by the law 24 December 2003 nr 363 that should be respected by users of the ski pistes to avoid eventual consequences of a civil and penal nature.

1. Respect for others: Skiers should behave in a manner that does not put others in danger or cause injury.
2. Control of speed and of personal behaviour: All skiers should maintain an appropriate speed and adapt speed based on their skiing ability, conditions of the pistes, visibility, weather conditions and amount of people on the pistes.
3. Choice of direction: The skier uphill has the possibility to decide their course and should maintain a course that avoids collisions with skiers further down.
4. Overtaking: Overtaking can be carried out by the skier either uphill or down (with sufficient space and visibility) to the right or left, but always at a distance to avoid putting the other skier in difficulty.
5. Entry and crossings: The skier entering the piste or starting again after a stop must ensure their personal safety and that of others, at a crossing give way to the right or according to eventual indications.
6. Stopping: Skiers should avoid stopping, unless necessary, along passages where all must pass or where there is no visibility. Any stops must be made along the edge of the pistes. In case of a fall the skier should clear the area as soon as possible.
7. Ascent along the slopes: Only in the case of urgent necessity, the skier that ascends or descends by foot should do so only along the edge of the slopes
8. Respect signposts: All skiers should respect and follow the regulations regarding the ski pistes, in particular the compulsory use of helmets for children under 14 years of age.
9. Assistance: All skiers should assist in the case of an accident.
10. Identification: Anyone involved in an accident or witness to an accident is required to provide their personal details.

LIFT SYSTEMS

Reference to laws:

The transport sector – lift systems is regulated by D.P.R. 753 of 11.07.1980 and by the Valle d’Aosta Regional Law nr 29 of the 01.09.1997 and successive modifications.

PASSENGER’S CONDITIONS OF USE

The following conditions, an extract of the regulations relating to the function of the lifts, are to guarantee safety and correct operation of the lift systems.

1. Passengers should have a valid transport ticket before accessing the lift. The order of boarding is exclusively upon presentation at the departure of the lift.
2. It is forbidden to speak to the operator of the lift, except where absolutely necessary.
3. Passengers should respect indications posted at lift stations and along the course. Regulations provided by authorities should also be respected and observe all other particular conditions as provided by personnel on the lifts to avoid accidents.
4. It is forbidden to access lifts in state of inebriation or in an abnormal psychophysical condition.
5. Chairlifts: Transport of unaccompanied children on the chairlifts is permitted only in the case that their height is not inferior of 125 cm. For children with height inferior of 125cm to access the lift unaccompanied they must provide proof of their age being over 8 years. On lifts that present characteristics that do not permit children with these requisites to raise and lower the safety bar easily, personnel at the station are authorised to perform with care the operation of ascent and descent from the chairlift.
6. Passengers not sufficiently protected from the climatic conditions will not be permitted access to the lifts.
7. Transport of animals is not permitted on chairlifts or surface lifts; it is permitted on cable cars in accordance with the head of the lift only when the animal is on leash and with muzzle and at moments of low traffic as not to disturb or danger other passengers.
8. Passengers should follow indications of personnel at the departure station; it is forbidden to access the lifts without the presence of personnel.
9. Whilst on lifts passengers are forbidden to:
   • Cause in any way movement of the lifts;
   • Travel in an incorrect manner;
   • Stick objects out of vehicles or throw objects from the lifts;
   • Smoke on cable cars;
   • Litter or dirty the lifts;
   • Open the security closures on vehicles or activate security buttons on the cable cars;
   • Descend or access lifts.Passengers on surface lifts are forbidden to:
   • Take a course not groomed for the lift;
   • Turn around or make complete turns;
   • Leave or take the lift along the course;
   • Throw the pommel sideways or upwards when leaving the lift;
   • Cross over the area marked at the arrival station when leaving the lift;
   • Cross over the course groomed for the lift;Also, passengers on surface lifts must:
   • Leave the area at the arrival of the station as quickly as possible;
   • If a fall occurs along the ascent, leave the pommel and clear the area as quickly as possible;
   • Do not access the areas of departure and arrival unless accessing the lift or areas along the course of the lift;
   • Be aware of the space available in the area at arrival.
10. Passengers should not enter boarding areas or get close to lifts in motor or board lifts without the presence of personnel.
11. In the case of a serious technical problem on the lift and it is necessary for the rescue services to intervene, load speaker announcements will advise passengers. Passengers should attend the rescue services and maintain normal position.
12. Passengers that do not observe conditions in the above point will be held responsible for eventual damages to the lift, other passengers and third parties.
13. Passengers not practical in the lift system transport should advise personnel and request instruction. Upon request of passengers, personnel will reduce the speed or stop the lift to facilitate ascent or decent from the lift.
14. Passenger’s eventual complaints regarding service should be sent to: Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta – Assessorato Turismo, Sport, Commercio e Trasporti - Direzione Trasporti – Servizio Infrastrutture Funiviarie e Piste da Sci - Località Grand Chemin, 34 – 11020 Saint Christophe (Ao) with precise address of complainant, complaints without will be considered anonymous and will not be followed up.
15. Passenger’s conditions, of which the above are part of, should be posted and available for information to the public.
16. Offenders of the conditions as posted for information to the public at stations and along the lifts, of which non-compliance may cause serious injury to other passengers or damage to the lifts, will be reported to the relevant Authorities whom will then apply the relevant sanctions to the law as seen in articles 432 and 650 of the Penal Code; less serious offences will be prosecuted according to the title II in particular article 18 of the DPR 753/80. Verification of the offence may be made by officials and personnel as in article 71 of DPR 753/80 and LR 29/1997.

HIGH MOUNTAIN ACTIVITIES

Visiting resorts at high altitude and isolated areas means that one should be aware of the risks as in any other sporting discipline. Rules relating to behaviour for skiers and snowboarders as provided by FIS and stated here below, are to be considered an outline of the ideal model of behaviour for conscientious, cautious and diligent skiers and snowboarders. Skiers and snowboarders should be aware of and respect the rules.
Where rules are unobserved by skiers and snowboarders and an accident occurs, the involved party will be responsible and will respond for their actions.

Rules for high mountain activities

At altitude you must:

• Use the open ski pistes and marked tracks;
• Do not go off the ski pistes due to avalanche risk;
• When off piste and therefore in unmarked areas, adhere to ski mountaineering regulations and pay attention to crevices;
• Protect skin from the sun with high protection sunscreen;
• Use sunglasses with protection from UV rays;
• Use clothing suitable for temperatures under zero including gloves and hats;
• Pay attention to weather forecasts, remember that conditions may chance rapidly in the mountain.