Piste X Code | Reminding skiers of the importance of safe on-piste skiing and how to avoid accidents

I love skiing although sadly have not been since 2019 and I miss it so much.  The pandemic stopped us of course and then this year when we could have got back to normal routine, personal commitments haven't allowed it.  Our daughter starting her new job, our son having a hernia and of course the current financial climate which has affected our business and our finances!  

But I was asked if I would share a new ski safety initiative which originated in Morzine (my favourite ski resort), it is a really important campaign which aims to reduce accidents in the mountains.

Two mums living in the ski resort of Morzine were driven to start Piste X Code after recent tragedies on the slopes, find more information on the website and read the campaign details below:

Piste X Code | Morzine and European Ski Resorts

Download a PDF copy of this poster here!

Watch the Piste X Code video here!

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Piste X Code - How it started

The Piste X Code is a new bilingual campaign to remind mountain-goers of the principles of safe on-piste skiing and snowboarding, with the aim of reducing unnecessary accidents in ski resorts. It is launched by the local community in the popular mountain resorts of Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz in advance of the busy February holiday weeks – but applies to all European ski resorts.

Spending time in the mountains with family and friends creates fantastic memories, from those first turns on beginner slopes to skiing together as a family. However, sometimes things do go wrong on the slopes, with the majority of accidents being entirely avoidable.

“Many skiers and snowboarders have spent almost two years away from the mountains, it’s exciting to return to the thrills of downhill skiing or snowboarding,” says Louise Paley, co-Founder of the Piste X Code and a mother and physiotherapist living in Morzine. “However, in resorts across the Alps, it’s been observed that people are taking more risks, they’re descending at far greater speeds and being less respectful of other mountain users. We’ve seen some tragic accidents already this season and this cannot continue.”

The Piste X Code is a list of eight ways you can keep yourself, your children and others safe on the pistes. A powerful video demonstrates each point, combined with fun animation and a Yeti mascot named Monty to make the concept more appealing to children. A social media campaign accompanies the project, alongside a multi language website which builds on the eight principles of on-piste safety and posters will be on display in boot rooms, ski shops and in lift stations across the ski resorts.

“On the whole, skiing and snowboarding on the pistes are safe, fun activities that we all love,” says co-Founder Amie Henderson, publisher of Morzine Source Magazine, a destination guide for English-speaking tourists in Morzine, Les Getsand Avoriaz. “But the Piste X Code isn’t just for beginners or children taking to the mountain for the first time. The Piste X Code is for everyone! It takes just minutes to re-educate yourself on the principles of safe on-piste skiing, showing respect for other mountain users and setting a great example to everyone else.”

So many accidents are completely avoidable and many people simply aren’t aware that piste rules exist. They are not widely available or visible enough. Therefore, the initial goal is to increase awareness of piste safety rules as this is the first step to safer slopes. However, the campaign won’t stop here and the goal is to get as many people as possible involved.

Ski and snowboard instructors from across the resorts have committed their time and experience to the campaign and all launch activity has been funded by local businesses who care passionately about keeping the mountains safe for everyone.

Take the Piste X Code Quiz!

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Please do share this campaign with any friends or family members who are going skiing soon, especially this busy February half term - and stay safe!

Love from
Michelle xx


Disclaimer: ​This blog post is being shared for the Ski Safe Blogger Campaign by AliKats Mountain Holidays and Piste X Code.  As a thank you for sharing the Piste X Code, I will be entered into a prize draw to win a self-catered holiday with AliKats Mountain Holidays.

If you are a blogger and you'd like to share the Piste X Code, please visit the competition page with AliKats Mountain Holidays here.
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