Staying safe on the slopes

We are currently enjoying great on-piste conditions in Meribel and the whole 3 Valleys area. Following a very (unusual) warm start to January it has started to get cold again and whilst we haven't had any major dumps of snow the falls that we have received have kept the pistes in great condition. Off-Piste the conditions are best described as "unstable" and are not advised unless you are with a Guide and properly equipped. Last week we were rewarded for our decision to go skiing in what looked like a white out from our windows in Les Allues. As we reached the summit of Saulire it was as if someone had opened the curtains - blue sky and sunshine greeted us as the pictures below show.

Although it is blissfully quiet on the Pistes in January accidents can still happen. A recent article in the UK Daily Telegraph quoted the number of injuries sustained in the French Alps last season as 1,400, 12% being the result of collision with other Piste users. Here are a couple of tips to minimise your risk:

• Always look up the slope before entering a run and stay aware of where others may be going especially in those areas where several lifts depart from the same area.
• Give other Piste users plenty of room, you have no idea what their next move may be
• If you need to stop do so at the side of the Piste and never just over the brow of a rise where you cannot be seen clearly by Piste users coming down the slope.
• Be mindful of the conditions - this includes weather, snow conditions, type of Piste and time of day. Major runs which take people to resort accommodation hubs at the end of the day are often best avoided. There is nothing wrong with experiencing a Gondola travelling downhill when conditions make it the more enjoyable option. You will receive a warm welcome from the lift operators, they know a wise decision maker when they see one.
• Wear a Helmet. It won't save you in every circumstance but in a collision it can help to minimise your injuries.
• Don't ski or ride under the influence of alcohol, in addition to the obvious dangers of slower reaction times it can invalidate your Insurance.

More snow is forecast over the next few days and much colder temperatures - a maximum of minus 16 is predicted for the summits on Friday. Time to wrap up well.