SAFE Cross-Country Skiing
Tips and advice for your safety when cross-country skiing
As a health and nature sport, cross-country skiing offers great opportunities for fitness, adventure and community. The following recommendations serve to make cross-country skiing safer, nature-friendly and conflict-free.
FIS rules of behaviour
Every cross-country skier must behave in such a way that no one else is endangered or harmed.
Observe the information signs:
Markings and signals (information signs) must always be observed. On the respective cross-country ski trails and pistes, you must ski in the direction indicated and using the appropriate technique.
Driving on the right also on the cross-country ski trail
On double and multiple tracks, you must ski in the right-hand lane. This applies on the pistes for free technique (skating). Groups are required to ski one behind the other in the right-hand lane.
Overtake cross-country skiers with caution
Cross-country skiers may be overtaken on both the right and left. The skier in front is not required to give way, but should make way if this is possible without risk.
Give way and give way:
In the event of encounters, every skier must swerve to the right and give way to descending cross-country skiers.
Keep poles close to your body:
Poles must be kept close to the body when overtaking, being overtaken and when meeting others
Assess your speed appropriately:
Every cross-country skier must adapt their speed and behaviour to the terrain conditions, traffic density and visibility, especially on downhill sections. A sufficient safety distance from the skier in front must be maintained - if necessary, you must drop off to prevent a collision.
Avoid accidents:
If you stop or fall, leave the trail/piste or clear it as quickly as possible.
Provide first aid:
Everyone is obliged to provide assistance in the event of an accident.
Data disclosure:
Whether a witness or a person involved in an accident - everyone must provide their details in the event of an accident.
Equipment checklist
- Cross-country skis
- Cross-country ski boots
- Cross-country skiing trousers
- Cross-country skiing gloves
- Water bottle on the hip belt or small rucksack and energy bar
- Sun cream
- Mobile phone
- Cross-country poles (length varies depending on cross-country skiing style)
- Cross-country jacket and/or waistcoat (breathable with windstopper would be ideal)
- Functional underwear
- Headband/cap
- Sunglasses
- Handkerchiefs
The right equipment for the cross-country ski trail.
Difficulty classifications
Easy trails are predominantly flat trails whose uphill and downhill sections must not exceed a longitudinal gradient of 10% - with the exception of short sections in open terrain. Downhill sections of trails for classic technique must be manageable over their entire length and must not force the cross-country skier to actively change direction. They are marked in the colour BLUE.
Moderately difficult trails are trails that run predominantly in undulating terrain and whose uphill and downhill sections must not exceed a longitudinal gradient of 20% - with the exception of short sections in open terrain. Downhill sections of trails for classic technique may contain bends that force the skier to actively change direction. They are marked in the colour RED.
Difficult trails are trails whose longitudinal gradients on the uphill and downhill sections exceed the maximum value for medium-difficulty trails. They are marked in the colour BLACK.
Cross-country skiing guidance system
The trail guidance system helps with orientation along the route. Please stick to the designated types of use!
Categorisation according to type of use
- Trail for classic technique: Trail that is prepared and groomed in any case on flat terrain and on uphill and downhill sections that can be travelled in a straight line, on downhill sections with a change of direction, but only on those sections where the trail does not pose a danger to skiers. With the exception of uphill and downhill sections, trails for classic technique may only be used in running technique with parallel ski guidance. Note: this trail is also referred to as a "cross-country skiing trail".
- Free technique trail: Trail that is groomed. Note: Free technique trails may be used in any skiing technique.
Behaviour in the natural landscape
Dogs
Dogs are perceived as a threat by wild animals and should be kept on a lead - this also prevents problems with other winter sports enthusiasts.
We also ask you to use dog waste bags and not to leave them lying around, but to throw them in the nearest rubbish bin.
Rubbish
Nature is a precious resource! Rubbish has no place in nature and belongs in the designated rubbish bins! So please take your rubbish with you into the valley - otherwise it will still be there
still there on your next visit.
How long does the waste lie on the mountain - rotting times at a glance
- Banana peel: 1-3 years
- Chewing gum: 5 years
- Tin cans: 50-100 years
- Plastic bottle 100-5,000 years
- Aluminium can: 400-600 years
- Glass bottle: 4,000-50,000 years - not measurable
- Paper handkerchief: 1-5 years
- Cigarette butts: 2-7 years
- Battery: 100-1,000 years (+chemicals, heavy metals)
- Plastic bag: 120-1,000 years
- Baby nappy, sanitary napkin: 500-800 years
- Styrofoam: 6,000 years - not measurable
Please note that the information provided on safety on the mountain is exclusively recommendations from the Wilder Kaiser Tourist Board. All information is subject to change without notice.