The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has urged Brits heading off on a ski or snowboarding holiday this winter to know their limits and not put themselves at risk by trying to keep up with more experienced members of their party.
The advice comes on the back of figures released by Posts in France that show the number of reported accidents on the slopes in 2012 continued to be high including seven deaths out of 12 serious incidents.
FCO staff based in Marseille, who cover all resorts in France, are launching a campaign aimed at Britons visiting winter sports resorts across Europe this winter to encourage them to understand the dangers of attempting slopes beyond their level of ability or going off piste without the correct safety equipment.
According to research from the FCO, of those Brits who go on winter sports holidays the majority class themselves as beginner or intermediate. Only 1 per cent classed themselves as expert.
Nearly two thirds (65 per cent) of winter sports travellers admitted they would ski or snowboard on slopes above their experience in order to stay with a group. More than half (53 per cent) also said they would follow a group of mates off piste.
A shocking 70 per cent admitted they do not always wear a helmet when skiing or snowboarding and one in five (21 per cent) said they wouldn’t wear a helmet if others in their group weren’t.
Of those that do go on winter sports holidays, over a third (38 per cent) admitted that they don’t always take out travel insurance. One in three (31 per cent) also said they don’t always check their policy to ensure they are covered for winter sports activities.
The FCO has developed the following tips to ensure winter sports travellers stay safe on the slopes this winter:
- Take out insurance – and check what it covers. It might not cover off piste skiing unless you are with a qualified guide.
- Have a check-up before you ski – one of the major causes of hospitalisation and death on the slopes is heart attacks.
- Don’t drink and ski. Alcohol can affect you more quickly at high altitudes and dangerously limits your awareness of risk and cold.
- Most skiing injuries are caused by collisions with other skiers – watch your speed and distance.
- Don’t attempt slopes you’re not experienced or fit enough to tackle.
- If you want to go off piste, go with a qualified guide.
- If going off piste carry a shovel, a probe and a transceiver in case of an avalanche. Also remember that you need proper training on how to use a transceiver.
- If you are going out on a glacier, you must wear a harness. If you fall into a crevasse, this will help the rescue team get you out.
- Make sure someone knows where you’re going and tell them of any changes to your plans.
- Only go off piste skiing or climbing with someone you have met previously and can trust. You need to know his/her capabilities, what you’ll be doing and where.
For further tips and advice on preparing for travel abroad, visit www.fco.gov.uk/travel.
