Skiing Safety Rules

Follow these rules and enjoy your winter adventure safely

  • Always use your helmet.
  • When overtaking other skiers or snowboarders on the slope, the downhill skier or snowboarder has the right of way.
  • Enter the lift gates with your face uncovered.
  • Stay hydrated throughout your stay.
  • Ensure you have the right equipment in the best condition.
  • Always keep your skis or snowboard under control; you should be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
  • If you stop on the slope, try not to do so in blind spots or places that hinder other skiers’ passage.
  • Always ensure you have enough space to maneuver.
  • When turning, look uphill for oncoming skiers or snowboarders to avoid accidents.
  • Control your speed and trajectory, always using brake devices to help prevent equipment loss.
  • Avoid separating from your team; if you do, move along the sides of the slope.
  • Respect the slope signage.
  • Follow the instructions and warnings of Valle Nevado’s staff and ski patrols.
  • Report every time you witness or are responsible for an accident.
  • Respect your level, the lifts, and the slopes.
  • Care for and respect the mountain.

Remember that you are at an elevation above 9,500 feet, so staying hydrated is crucial.

Learn about All Ski Center Safety Regulations HERE

Card or Pass Blocking Causes

Temporary

  • Double access to the lift
  • Covering your face or obstructing the gate cameras
  • Violating the skier’s regulation and Valle Nevado’s safety rules
  • Using someone else’s Valle Plus card by mistake

Permanent

  • Using, gifting, renting, or reselling your ticket
  • Using a ticket of a different category than the user’s age
  • Violations of the ticket use and safety rules
  • Using someone else’s tickets or season passes

Off-piste

Attention!

The off-piste area is not groomed, marked, signposted, controlled, or protected against inherent mountain and snow dangers, such as avalanches, cliffs, rocks, and crevices. It is a mistake to think that carrying the right equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe, and airbag) is enough to keep you safe off-piste. All that equipment is essential and must always be carried when going off-piste. But it’s not enough, and certainly not sufficient to enter terrain that may not be safe.

The risk of skiing off-piste is real, and you could die.

Ski responsibly. Get informed, trained, and practice self-safety and self-care:

  • Know your own abilities and capabilities. Ski within your limits. No one knows your limit better than yourself.
  • Always ski with a companion, descend one at a time, pay attention to your companions’ descent and work as a team. Your companions are your best chance for a quick and timely rescue.
  • Study the terrain before starting. Inspect the terrain and understand the weather conditions, orientation, and slope of the hillside, as well as snow conditions.
  • Pay attention to the weather forecast and new snowfalls. Most avalanches happen while it’s snowing or during the 24 hours following the snowfall.
  • Use safety equipment properly. Familiarize yourself with the use of your equipment (avalanche beacon, shovel, probe, and airbag) and keep it in optimal condition.
  • Have a plan. Agree with your companions on the plan to follow, meeting points, spacing between skiers and safety or escape routes.
  • Review the “what ifs?”. Study possible risks or difficulties and establish action plans before starting the descent. Do not expose yourself to unnecessary risks.
  • Know and ask the locals. They are already familiar with the terrain, its possible risks, and difficulties.

To learn more about Off-Piste Skiing, the necessary equipment, and its proper use, contact our Ski & Snowboard School, where you can learn everything necessary to keep you safe from certified instructors of the highest level.