26.06.2023
The secured ski area includes ski slopes and ski routes that are prepared by the ski area operator and protected from alpine dangers. In contrast, there is the unsecured ski area (also known as free ski area), which includes all areas away from ski slopes and ski routes and involves higher risks.
This article covers the differences between secured and unsecured ski areas in the European Alps. Please note that the situation may differ in your country (e. g. North America) - feel free to research further or contact us for additional information.
A ski slope is a ski run prepared by the ski resort operator and protected from hazards (e.g. avalanches, falling rocks). Ski slopes are divided into three (in some places four) levels of difficulty. These are indicated on the slope markings or on the slope map.
They are marked according to difficulty with the colors green (very easy), blue (easy), red (medium), black (difficult) and have a number, which allows orientation by means of a slope plan (map).
Like a ski slope, a ski route is part of the organized ski area and is characterized by a lack of grooming and usually by a challenging route. It is a marked ski run that is not controlled by the ski area staff. As a rule, there is no danger of avalanches here unless the ski route is closed.
The term free ski area refers to all areas away from ski slopes and ski routes.
Skiing in open terrain involves higher risks than skiing on groomed slopes, as there may be unexpected obstacles or dangers such as rocks, trees and avalanches. It can also be more difficult to be rescued in the event of an accident.
It is important that skiers and snowboarders who are out and about in the open ski area are well prepared and equipped with the necessary equipment to minimize the risks and ensure their safety. You should also be aware that skiing in the open ski area is at your own risk. This means that you are responsible for your own actions and decisions.
The boundaries between the secured ski area and the unsecured ski area are often difficult to recognize. In principle, however, the following applies: as soon as a slope or an area is no longer marked with the above-mentioned markings and is therefore no longer secured, you are in an unsecured ski area.
The free ski area also includes off-piste runs that lead away from a piste and back into the organized ski area further down the valley. The following or similar signs are often used in ski areas to indicate the boundary:
Every ski area has an avalanche commission. An avalanche commission is a group of experts who are responsible for assessing avalanche hazards in a particular area. Its main task is to monitor the current snow situation and weather conditions in order to identify potential avalanche hazards and take appropriate measures to minimize the risk to the population and infrastructure.
The avalanche commission also makes decisions about closing slopes and roads and about carrying out avalanche blasting in order to ensure safety. The members of the avalanche commission check the catchment areas of the ski slopes daily for signs of avalanche danger and take appropriate measures to minimize the risk as much as possible.
In order to take preventative measures, structural measures such as avalanche rakes (also known as avalanche barriers), avalanche dams and avalanche galleries are built. Ski areas are temporarily secured by means of artificial avalanche triggering.
Structural avalanche protection refers to the construction of protective devices to protect buildings, infrastructure and also ski slope users from the effects of avalanches. These measures are intended to minimize or prevent damage caused by avalanches.
