ZLÍN - In recent years, injuries on ski slopes have been increasing rapidly. Every year, rescuers go to thousands of cases, many accidents end in death. Abroad, the statistics are even more frightening. For example, the Austrian newspaper Kurier published data in 2020 that showed that no other type of movement apart from driving is responsible for as many injuries and deaths as skiing. In Austria during the winter, rescuers treat around 40,000 injured skiers and snowboarders, and of this number, more than half end up in hospital with serious injuries. So it's clear that safety on the slopes should be key for every winter sports enthusiast.
The best safety rules are summarized in the so-called White Codex, or FIS Ten. The International Ski Federation (FIS) created these rules back in 1967. Experts worked on creating the rules for six long years. However, these are certainly not outdated lessons. The FIS Ten Commandments are regularly updated to reflect the development of skiing.
In the Czech Republic, the FIS Ten Commandments have not been adopted into the text of any law. The rules are contained only in the state standard on security and marking in the winter resort, or in the operating regulations of operators of ski areas or cable cars and lifts. What does this mean in practice? We do not risk any direct sanctions for non-compliance with them. However, one important thing should be kept in mind. If you injure someone and go to court to determine the degree of fault, the judge will take the FIS rules into account. Courts have repeatedly taken the position that FIS rules are binding for skiers on the slopes, even though they are not registered athletes or participants in a race organized by FIS or another affiliated organization. The opinion is supported by both lower instance courts and the Supreme Court of the Czech Republic.
However, there are countries where the FIS Ten Commandments are clearly laid down in law. For example, in Italy, Slovakia or Slovenia. Austria does not have the FIS Ten Commandments directly in the law, but in the POE rules, created by the Mountain Safety Board. Switzerland also has rules laid down in law, specifically here the Downhill Safety Commission issued the SKUS guidelines.
So before you hit the slopes, familiarize yourself with the FIS rules and, above all, respect them. This will prevent unnecessary inconvenience. Consideration and safety always pay off not only on the slopes.
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