The traffic rules on the slopes

The good news is that the number of injuries in the organized skiing area of the province of Salzburg - i.e. on slopes and ski routes - has once again decreased, and this despite the extremely snowy winter and the increasing numbers of skiers. But every injured person on the slopes is one too many! When observing a few precautionary measures, accidents can be largely avoided.

85% of skiing injuries are due to collisions, but most of them could have been avoided by following the FIS safety rules:

• Be considerate of other skiers. Choose your lane so that you do not endanger slower skiers in front of you.
• Ride on sight and adjust your speed to your ability, traffic density and visibility on the slope.
• You may overtake on the left and right, but you must always keep a sufficient distance.
• Only keep to the edge of the slope in clear places if possible, and in the event of a fall, clear the run as quickly as possible. If you are in a group, always descend below the others
• To enter or approach the slope, please always look down and up first.
• For ascents and descents use the edge of the slope.
• Markings, barriers and signals must be observed at all times Pay particular attention when riding the lift: Do not open the lift bar until you are in the marked area!
• As in road traffic, there is also a duty to provide assistance on the slopes if an accident occurs. First of all, the accident site must be secured and marked - the best way to do this is to stick the skis crossed in the snow. Then give first aid and/or notify the rescue services.
• Jeder Beteiligte an einem Unfall – auch als Zeuge – muss im Falle eines Unfalles seine Personalien mitteilen.

As beautiful as winter is with the glistening snow-covered slopes, the blue sky and the cold clear air, it is an extremely barren and threatening time for the flora and fauna of the Gastein mountains. Plants wait protected from the cold under the snow for the next spring. Wild animals hardly find any food and depend on the few bare spots or feeders. Therefore, please respect the living space of wild animals. Ask our ski guides for suitable runs or stay only on marked slopes and trails.
Please also avoid snow-free areas and the edges of forests, as these are recreation zones for wildlife.

For a beautiful winter in Gastein for everyone!