You might be excused for thinking you have stumbled across an old party political broadcast. Politics and sport do not mix, but something we feel strongly about is educating snowboarders and skiers to behave responsibly on the slope. How many accidents have you seen that have been totally avoidable? How many are caused by inconsiderate slope users or people riding at speeds way above their ability? I have seen several collisions this season by people simply riding too fast for the conditions.

Some people may think I am being boring and others may feel the phrase “teaching Grandma to suck eggs” coming to mind, but how many riders out there actually know the 10 ‘commandments’ of on slope conduct? I would guess that not many people out there could name all 10. If you can then you are free to give yourself a big slap on the back and if not, then you need to get reading.

Here is the F.I.S Code of Conduct.

Respect for others. A skier or snowboarder must behave in such a way that he does not endanger or prejudice others.

Control of speed and skiing or snowboarding. A skier or snowboarder must move in control. He must adapt his speed and manner of skiing or snowboarding to his personal ability and to the prevailing conditions of terrain, snow and weather as well as to the density of traffic.

Choice of route. A skier or snowboarder coming from behind must choose his route in such a way that he does not endanger skiers or snowboarders ahead.

Overtaking. A skier or snowboarder may overtake another skier or snowboarder above or below and to the right or to the left provided that he leaves enough space for the overtaken skier or snowboarder to make any voluntary or involuntary movement.

Entering, starting and moving upwards. A skier or snowboarder entering a marked run, starting again after stopping or moving upwards on the slopes must look up and down the slopes that he can do so without endangering himself or others.

Stopping on the piste. Unless absolutely necessary, a skier or snowboarder must avoid stopping on the piste in narrow places or where visibility is restricted. After a fall in such a place, a skier or snowboarder must move clear of the piste as soon as possible.

Climbing and descending on foot. A skier or snowboarder either climbing or descending on foot must keep to the side of the piste.

Respect for signs and markings. A skier or snowboarder must respect all signs and markings.

Assistance. At accidents, every skier or snowboarder is duty bound to assist.

Identification. Every skier or snowboarder and witness, whether a responsible party or not, must exchange names and addresses following an accident.

The code of conduct is something that should be instilled in people the moment they strap on their skis or snowboard for the first time. As a snow sports instructor, your first priority in any lesson is safety. With safety being paramount it is essential that those new to the sport are given a copy of the rules and also reminded of them at various points in the lesson.

One major thing overlooked is that should you be in an accident and you’ve contravened one of the rules, you could be deemed liable with a high possibility of being sued or having criminal charges pressed against you. It pays to know the rules for both your own safety and that of your wallet.

Personally, I would like either an amendment to the overtaking rule or an additional rule. Humans do not have the same ability as owls, in that we can’t turn our heads 270°. Due to this anatomical flaw, as we slide down the hill sideways committing to a heel side turn, we cannot see what’s behind us. Now any intelligent snowboarder should know not to pass another snowboarder on their ‘blindside’ and if they did, to give them plenty of room.

How many skiers know this? How many times have you as a snowboarder been blamed for turning into someone when they’ve tried to pass you on your blindside? It’s all about education. If I ride with skiers I tell them this from the off, so as to be pre-emptive in avoiding accidents. As a result I would love to see the FIS add the following amendment to the code of conduct; Do not overtake a snowboarder on their blindside/backside.

Experienced snowboarders and skiers have a responsibility not only for their own actions but also of other slope users. As I’ve previously mentioned, it’s all about educating people. If you see someone stood or sat below a roller, stop and tell them why it’s a bad place to stop, i.e. worst case scenario, you could end up decapitated!

By Pete Campbell

Picture: George Bannister