Châtel and the Portes du Soleil

Slope Safety Rules for Skiers, Snowboarders & Mountain Users

Mountains are potentially dangerous, Châtel and resorts throughout the Portes du Soleil support the simple rules laid down by the FIS which are designed to help ensure everyone can enjoy the mountains safely whilst protecting the local environment

Please respect their efforts by taking time now to read these safety rules. They are there for your safety and your life might depend on them. Your lift pass may be forfeited without refund if your fail to observe these rules.

• Respect - Do not endanger others;
• Control - Adapt the manner and speed of your skiing to your ability
  and to the general conditions on the mountain;
• Choice of Route - The skier in front has priority - leave enough space;
• Overtaking - Leave plenty of space when overtaking a slower skier;
• Entering and Starting - Look up and down the mountain each time before starting or entering a marked run;
• Stopping - Only stop at the edge of a piste or where you can be seen easily;
• Climbing/Walking - When climbing or walking up or down the mountain keep to the side of the piste;
• Signs - Obey all signs or markings - they are there for your safety;
• Assistance - In case of accidents, provide help if you can or alert the rescue service;
• Identification - All those involved in an accident, including witnesses, should exchange names and addresses.

All the above rules are legally binding and apply to skiers, snowboarders and other mountain sports. You could be in serious trouble if you are to blame for an accident while in breach of these rules.

Special Rules for Snowboarders

• Ensure your board is securely tethered to your front foot by a safety strap - Runaway boards have killed!
• When not in use place your board firmly upside down on the snow - don't risk a nudge or gust of wind setting your board hurtling out of control down slope.
• When using lifts and tows, free your rear foot from the binding
• Look back carefully to the left and right when changing direction. Take particular care when starting a turn heelside to look backwards.
• The ability to ski does not automatically mean you have the ability to snowboard
• Do not attempt the sport without instruction

Going Off Piste?

• Never go off-piste alone - When in doubt stay out
• Always check the weather and avalanche warning signs.
• Tell someone your planned route and a latest return time when they should alert authorities
• Ideally everyone should have a Recco© tag and a transciever which is set to send, and everyone should turn their mobile phone OFF
• Everyone should know how to use the transciever to search.
• On glaciers never remove your board due to the danger of crevasses
• Try not to cross potential avalanche zones. If you must, then identify potential escape routes and cross one at a time. Look out for your companions.

Useful Hints

• They may not be in English but NOTICES are there for a purpose so don't ignore them. You can find a full list of piste signs in your Piste map
• All the following mean "slow down take care" - Langsam, Rallentare, Ralentir
• All the following mean "closed" - Gesperrt, Barre, Chiuso
• Itineraires - means a route which is not patrolled, has not been pisted and may entail avalanche risk.
  Such routes are only suitable for experienced users unless accompanied by a local guide.
• Piste machines have absolute right of way and hurt a lot!
• Before attempting a jump check your landing area is clear
• Take care and enjoy yourself!

The Alpine Mountain Convention

Châtel and resorts throughout the Portes du Soleil support the Alpine Mountain Convention, which aims to protect the mountain environment so they may remain available for all generations to enjoy. Please help them by respecting the local environment and dispose litter responsibly

Created by JCWS, © 2005