Industry News
Anyone who has traveled enough knows that laws change from one place to another. This is true in the U.S. where state laws vary from one state to another state and is especially true when people travel from one country to the next. Being aware and knowing what the laws and rules are in a specific location can mean the difference between having a fun trip or a very bad one. This applies not only to states or countries but also to ski resorts, where the rules can change resort to resort.
VIP SKI compiled a list of unusual ski fines from ski resorts around the world and found that each country and resort may have different restrictions for skiers and snowboarders. For people who like to travel and check out different ski resorts around the country or world, this is information that could save you some money when hitting a new mountain.
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The United States
Colorado
9. Skiers or riders can be fined up to $1,000 if caught on a lift or ski run while under the influence of alcohol according to the Colorado Ski Safety Act.
8. You can be fined for giving someone else your ski pass. Violators can expect to pay $500 for “Deceptive Use of a Ski Facility.” The Deceptive Use Of Ski Facilities is when you borrow, steal, split a day ticket between two people, counterfeit a ticket, or get on a lift without any ticket at all.
California
7. You can be fined for jumping over a train on your snowboard.
New Jersey
6. There is a governmental fine of $25 for ignoring the compulsory ski helmet rules. New Jersey’s ski helmet law requires all minors to wear helmets while downhill skiing or snowboarding, and while on ski tows, lifts, and tramways. Adults, parents, guardians, and persons in a supervisory position will face a $25 fine should a child under their care be caught without a helmet. Additional offenses will cost $100 apiece. New Jersey is the first in the nation to mandate ski helmets for minors, according to the New Jersey Herald.
Austria
5. The Mayor of Ischgl Ski Resort in Austria introduced a €2,000 ($2,159.49) fine for people walking around the resort in their ski boots. The Austrian resort of Ischgl has banned skiers from walking around the resort in their ski boots after 8 pm, with anyone caught doing so facing a fine of up to €2,000 ($2,159.49)
France
4. If you trigger an avalanche during your off-piste session, you could be fined up to €15,000 ($16,194.75) and imprisoned for up to a year.
3. Skiers caught in French nature reserves like Plan de Tuèda above Méribel could be fined 135 euros ($145.75).
Italy
2. Skiing without ski liability insurance can result in fines of €100-€150. ($107.98-$161.98). Italy was the first country to insist on winter sports travel insurance for anyone visiting its ski resorts.
Germany
1. A man was fined £200 ($253.88) for skiing on the motorway. Police in a motorway were stunned to see a man hurtle past them on a pair of skis. The man, Lars Bortast, 32, had run out of gas and remembered the specially adapted all-weather pair of skis, fitted with little wheels on them he had in his vehicle. He was caught on his way to a garage and later fined £200. After his arrest in Mellrichstadt, Germany, last month. He said, “It was an emergency. I didn’t think anyone would mind if I was quick.”
For most of the skiers and riders who follow the skier’s code of responsibility none of the above rules should affect them. It is always important to know the law of the land before visiting a place you have never been to before. Remember that just because two different ski resorts are located in the same state or country does not mean the same rules apply to each resort.
The full list of unusual ski fines from ski resorts around the world can be found on the VIP SKI blog.
