FIS 10 Rules of Conduct & Slope Safety – Alpine Skier Decalogue and Regulations

The International Ski Federation (FIS) established rules applied across European courts as the legal benchmark for prudent slope conduct:

1. Respect for others: A skier or snowboarder must behave in such a way that they do not endanger or prejudice others.

2. Control of speed and skiing style: Speed must be adapted to personal ability, terrain, snow conditions, and slope congestion.

3. Choice of route: The skier above must choose a route that avoids endangering skiers ahead.

4. Overtaking: You may overtake from above or below, right or left, provided you leave ample space for any voluntary or involuntary movement.

5. Entering, starting and moving upwards: When entering a marked run or restarting, look up and down to ensure you can do so without endangering yourself or others.

6. Stopping on the piste: Avoid stopping in narrow places or where visibility is restricted. If you fall, clear the piste as quickly as possible.

7. Climbing and descending on foot: Foot traffic must keep strictly to the edge of the piste.

8. Respect for signs and markings: Skiers must obey all trail signs, hazard markings, and boundary ropes.

9. Assistance at accidents: At accidents, every skier is duty-bound to assist and alert mountain rescue.

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

Italy enforces strict statutory slope regulations across all resorts (e.g. Livigno, Sella Ronda, Cervinia):

• Mandatory Third-Party Liability (RC): Every skier must hold valid liability cover for injury or damage caused to third parties. Can be added to your ski pass for ~2.50–3 EUR/day or verified via a valid policy certificate in English.

• Mandatory Helmets for Minors under 18: Helmets must carry the CE EN 1077 certification. Violations bring instant fines and pass confiscation.

• Breathalyzer Checks & Alcohol Limits: The blood alcohol threshold is 0.5 g/l. Between 0.5 and 0.8 g/l, fines range from 250 to 1,000 EUR. Above 0.8 g/l, it constitutes a criminal misdemeanor.

Keep a 30 cm distance in lift queues—stepping on other skiers’ topsheets and snowboard tails is the number one cause of friction and gear damage.

When riding chairlifts with children, pull the safety bar down immediately upon clearing the departure gate and ensure boots rest squarely on footrests.