Speed, alcohol, drugs: French ski resorts take action

Ski resorts in France are creating new ways of reminding skiers of safety rules in an effort to reduce collisions linked to speed, drugs and alcohol on the pistes.

The rise in safety campaigns comes after 31,213 people (+8% from the previous year) were treated by ski mountain rescue teams during the 2024-2025 season across 52 ski stations, as recorded by the mountain safety system Système national d'observation de la sécurité en montagne (SNOSM) in their most recent report.

The situation however remains relatively stable when taking into account the increase in visitors (+5.5%) last year.

The report also revealed a significant increase in the number of medical helicopter call-outs (+40% compared to the previous two winters) indicating a worsening in the severity of injuries.

“The behaviour of some skiers remains a cause for concern (poor speed management, lack of respect, incivility, etc.). It is therefore necessary to continue with a policy of raising awareness of accidents and appropriate behaviour on the slopes,” states the SNOSM report.

In some particularly severe cases, collisions have been fatal.

Creative safety initiatives

This season, the Les Arcs/Peisey-Vallandry resort (Savoie) has launched the ‘Chronoski’ slope to raise the public’s awareness of their speed.

Skiers are encouraged to line up at the start of a straight, steep slope, where their ski pass triggers a stopwatch that measures their speed. At the bottom of the descent, awareness panels set out an ‘honour code’ to be respected throughout the domain. 

“The problem is that we do not always realise how fast we are going, and this tool will allow everyone to measure their own performance,’ the resort’s communications manager, Arthur Cotteverte, told Le Figaro. 

Excess speed and stopping in the middle of a piste are the main causes of collisions.

For this reason, Val d'Isère has developed a new ‘Ski tranquille’ initiative, wherein speeding is prohibited on 30% of the resort’s slopes. 

Across the rest of the domain, skiers can see signs displaying safety reminders often featuring rhymes or play-on-words: Si t’es champion, pas de queue de poisson (If you're a champion, don't cut in front of others), Pense à freiner, t’es en congé ! (Remember to slow down, you're on holiday). 

Information sessions are also boosting awareness of ski safety. In Les Menuires (Savoie), ‘Safety After Ski’ is held on Tuesday evenings to offer an insight into the world of mountain rescue, while Les Deux-Alpes (Isère) has launched ‘Ski Safe’ - resort staff observe behaviour on the slopes and offer safety advice. 

Piste patrol staff are however not authorised to issue fines for reckless behaviour.

Warnings against drug use and alcohol consumption 

Consumption of drugs and alcohol on the slopes is also integrated into the latest safety campaigns.

An investigation was recently opened by local authorities into the death of an American tourist who was skiing off-piste, after the instructor tested positive for drug use.

It is not technically illegal to drink or be drunk on the slopes, but anyone who is found to be drunk in public and behaving in a dangerous manner as a result risks a fine of €68-€150, or more, depending on the circumstances.

This rule applies to any area of ski resorts, slopes, and ski lifts. 

If someone who is drunk is found to be involved in an accident that injures someone else, this could also lead to them being charged with ‘endangering the life of others’ and causing an accident with an ‘aggravating circumstance’.

Helmets are not compulsory

Reports of reckless behaviour and the increasing severity of injuries are all the more concerning given that helmets are not compulsory in France - except for children in ski schools.

A law came into force in Italy on November 1, 2025 making helmets compulsory on every piste in the country, including for cross-border skiers from France. Anyone on an Italian ski piste without a helmet is now liable for a €150 fine and lift pass confiscation. 

For the moment, French resorts continue to encourage helmet use through awareness campaigns and instructor guidance, integrating it as part of a comprehensive approach to protecting skiers and snowboarders alike.

Do you think ski helmets should be made mandatory in France? Email your views to feedback@connexionfrance.com