Conseils montagne

Rest assured, there's no shortage of oxygen in our resorts! A few comments, however, on atmospheric pressure and temperature, both of which are linked to altitude. At higher altitudes, air pressure decreases and can cause severe ear infections in infants when transported in ski lifts, or above 1200m.

As for you, don't forget to dress warmly, as the temperature drops by 1°C every 200m. For example, if your apartment is at 1000m and the temperature is 4°C, it will be -6°C at 3000m with zero wind!

It varies with altitude and wind intensity. For example, with a 30km/h wind, the sensation of cold will be -14°C, whereas the air temperature is 0°C. Frostbite occurs after prolonged exposure of the skin to the cold. The first danger is their insidious, painless onset. The affected area turns pale. Wearing tight, damp shoes can cause frostbite, as can anything that impedes blood circulation.

To avoid having a bad time, be sure to dry the inside of your shoes every evening by removing them from their shells. Use clothing that provides effective protection against wind, cold and humidity. Adopt an adapted, high-calorie diet and remember to drink hot and often. Avoid alcoholic beverages, as alcohol dilates the blood vessels, promoting heat loss from the skin's surface. Finally, keep a close eye on extremities such as the nose, ears and cheeks.

The higher the altitude, the more the filtering of this radiation diminishes. Compared to sea level, the intensity of the sun's rays is multiplied by 1.5 at 2000m and by 2 at 3000m. What's more, reflection is greatest on snow, so don't be fooled by cloudy skies or fog. Despite the often low temperatures in the mountains, we tend to underestimate the intensity of the sun's rays.

To avoid skin burns, apply sunscreen several times a day to exposed areas and a lip balm with a protection factor (IP) of over 25. For eye protection, a pair of sunglasses with category 3 or 4 lenses is essential. To be fully effective, they must cover the front and sides of the eyes.

For your safety, whether new or old, your equipment must be in perfect working order and adapted to your morphology. Make sure your bindings release properly and are properly adjusted. We recommend that you entrust your skis to a professional, who will adjust them in accordance with current standards.
When it comes to choosing your gear, nothing could be more complex! Once again, let a connoisseur guide you. Especially in these changing times. Above all, answer the following questions before submitting your project to a store (whatever your equipment):

WHAT IS MY TECHNICAL LEVEL?
Be objective about your technical level and current fitness level.

WHAT TYPE OF RIDING DO I DO?

• 100% on-piste
• 80% on-piste - 20% off-piste
• 50% on piste - 50% off piste
• 80% off-piste - 20% on-piste

WHAT IS MY RIDING STYLE?

• Rather relaxed
• I like perfect curves
• I spend a lot of time in snow parks
• I go everywhere and try everything
• Slalom

DRAG LIFT
1. Remove the wrist straps to avoid getting caught on the pole.
2. Do not slalom and hold on to the pole until you reach the finish. You could derail the cable and injure others.
3. If you fall, let go of the pole and quickly clear the track.
4. At the finish, release the pole at the indicated point. If you pass the finish point, you trigger the automatic stop.
5. Clear the finish area quickly.

SKI CHAIRLIFT
1. Place your rucksack in front of you. You could fall out of the seat during takeoff, or get hung up during landing.
2. If you board incorrectly, let the seat go.
3. Lower the guardrail. Only children should know how to lower and raise the guardrail.
4. Never jump off the seat, even when stationary. It's always higher than you think!
5. If you can't disembark, stay seated. Let your legs push the horizontal automatic stop rod.

A healthy mind in a healthy world. Two essential values for taking full advantage of what nature has to offer. Unfortunately, there's too much garbage in the mountains, and unlike in the cities, there's no one to collect it.
That's why our mountain dwellers ask you not to leave anything behind. Be extremely careful on the chairlifts when you take something out of your pockets. It's so easy to let a glove, a stick, a piece of paper, etc. slip out without being able to retrieve it. Make sure your pockets are well closed, too.

1. Respect For Others.
All skiers/snowboarders must conduct themselves in such a way that they do not put others in danger, this includes both their behaviour and the use of their equipment.
2. Control Your Speed and Adapt Your Behaviour.
All skiers/snowboarders must adapt their speed and behaviour to their personal capabilities as well as to the general conditions, the weather, the snow conditions and the amount of people on the pistes.
3. Control Your Trajectory.
Skiers/snowboarders who are higher up the piste must give way to those below them. If you are above another skier/snowboarder, it is up to you to choose or change your trajectory in such a way that you do not endanger skiers below you.
4. Overtaking.
Overtaking may take place uphill/downhill, to the left/to the right – but must always take place where there is sufficient space to anticipate the trajectory of the overtaken skier/snowboarder.
5. Starting to Ski or Crossing a Piste
All skiers/snowboarders starting to ski after stopping, turning onto a piste, or crossing a piste must check uphill and downhill before continuing.
6. Stopping.
Unless absolutely necessary everyone must avoid stopping in the middle of a piste, particularly in a narrow section or areas of restricted visibility (round a bend; or just over a rise in the piste). In the case of a fall, you must try to clear the piste as quickly as possible.
7. Ascending or Descending on foot.
All skiers/snowboarders cimbing up or going down a piste on foot must keep to the side of the piste, or preferably off-piste if conditions allow.
8. Respect for Information
All skiers/snowboarders must respect all signs and warnings with respect to weather, the state of the pistes and the snow conditions.
9. Giving Assistance in the Case of an Accident.
All skiers/snowboarders must offer assistance in the case of an accident. If you are the first on the scene of an accident you must stop and help.
10. Identify yourself in the Case of an Accident.
Any person who is involved in an accident or witness to it must identify themselves to piste security.

The mountains are an area of freedom that needs to be learned. Safe off-piste skiing requires training and experience. Take professional advice.
We're also here to help you become autonomous in unsafe snow conditions, and of course to help you have fun in all types of snow!