Industry News
Three American tourists are facing fines of up to €1,000 each after being stopped by police while skiing in Cortina d’Ampezzo, in northern Italy’s Dolomites. State Police say the trio violated multiple safety laws, including skiing without helmets, lacking mandatory insurance, and—in two cases—skiing under the influence of alcohol.
The two men and one woman were intercepted by State Police officers assigned to mountain safety and rescue operations in the Tofane area after being observed descending the slopes recklessly and without regard for basic safety rules.
Upon inspection, officers determined the three were in breach of Italy’s Legislative Decree No. 40 of 2021, which governs safety on ski slopes. Police cited the group for failing to wear a protective helmet, which is mandatory for alpine skiing and snowboarding under Article 17 since this season and not carrying compulsory liability insurance, required for anyone accessing Italian ski slopes under Article 30. Each of these violations carries an administrative fine ranging from €100 to €200.
The situation escalated after the group returned to the valley. At Socrepes, officers requested support from a Traffic Police patrol to conduct breathalyzer tests due to the groups suspicious behavior. Two members of the group—one man and the woman—tested positive for alcohol, violating Article 31 of the same decree, which prohibits skiing while intoxicated. Authorities expressed particular concern over the woman’s recorded blood alcohol level of 3.7 g/L—an extremely high reading that officials said could have resulted in serious harm to herself or others on the slopes.
Skiing under the influence carries significantly heavier penalties, with fines ranging from €250 to €1,000.
SnowBrains advised readers back in July 2025 that Italy would introduce a helmet mandate from November 1, 2025. Anyone skiing or snowboarding in Italy must wear a CE-certified helmet that meets European safety standards. The rule applies across all ski resorts in all states and all age groups, without exception. It not only applies to skiers and boarders but also affects those sledding and tobogganing in Italian resorts. Those found skiing or snowboarding without a ski helmet in Italian resorts after November 1, 2025, will incur a fine of up to €200 and may lose their ski pass for up to three days. Carabinieri and police can be found all across Italian ski resorts enforcing this, and other, laws.
