Better Ski Manners

In skiing, as it is in life, there's always somebody around who is spoiling things for everyone with their lack of consideration for others - whether they're cutting the line for the lift or cutting you up on the slopes, there's always going to be somebody who's just being plain rude and ignorant. You don't want to be this person - apart from anything else, you might get chucked off the slopes! So if you want to continue to enjoy your skiing holiday in safety, follow these tips on ski etiquette.

Ski on trails that match your ability level. If you're a beginner, don't try and impress your buddies by heading out on the advanced slopes, when you've only just started to get comfortable on the easier ones. Likewise, if you are an experienced skier, there is nothing to stop you enjoying the more gentle terrain of the easier slopes, just remember to keep your speed sensible and don't try any wild turns - remember what it was like when you were a beginner!

Set times to meet family members or friends in advance, and carry a phone or walkie talkie in case you're delayed. If you've decided to meet someone at a certain time, you should do your utmost to avoid being late. There are plenty of things that can happen to delay you though, such as long queues, delayed ski lifts, falls, or trails that take longer than you might have anticipated. If you are delayed for whatever reason, try to get in touch, as they may be worried that you have had an accident.

Stay inside the designated areas. If you thought that ducking under the barrier that sections off closed trails makes you look dead cool and daring, you'd be wrong. There is a good reason why you are barred from these areas. Off-piste areas are closed off because they are too dangerous for even Olympic-standard skiers to ski down. Whatever your reasons for wanting to do this, taking on closed trails isn't worth getting chucked off the mountain, and it certainly isn't worth getting hurt or killed.

Keep your speed under control. Although you might enjoy racing down the slopes at a hundred miles an hour, it is not always appropriate to do so, and you should be sensitive to this fact. Unless a course is completely clear of other skiers, or you are on a dedicated speed skiing trail, go with the flow. Skiing too fast can make for a warning by the ski patrol, so make sure that you always stay in control and keep your speed in check.

Don't cut the line for the ski lift. Or any other line for that matter! No matter how eager you are to get back up the slope for another exhilarating run, consider your fellow skiers. Even aside from the obvious rudeness of such an act, getting caught queue jumping could cost you your season or day ticket, so it's really not worth it.

For great deals on travel insurance visit Go Travel Insurance