Skiing mistakes can result in a $16 fine in Europe

Ski trips are already looking pretty expensive this year as resorts are raising costs and fees, but fines for breaking the myriad rules on the slopes will take a toll on your travel budget. may be exceeded.

Mistakes like this, such as wearing ski boots when you’re not allowed to forget your helmet, can result in hefty fines. Here’s all the regulations you need to know to have a successful ski holiday.

You could be fined for wearing ski boots in Austria

In the small Alpine town of Ischgl, ill-fitting footwear can land you in hot water. Mayor Werner Kurz introduced a 2,000 euro ($2,150) fine for anyone walking around the resort wearing ski boots between 8pm and 6am. The measure is expected to prevent accidents and reduce noise on the town’s cobbled streets.

Keep in mind that in Austria, giving your lift ticket to someone else is also considered a serious crime and can result in fines of thousands of euros.

France fines skier for smoking on the slopes

If you cause an avalanche during an off-piste session in France, you can be fined up to 15,000 euros (about $16,200) and imprisoned for up to a year. Skiers caught in French nature reserves such as Plan de Tueda above Méribel could also face fines of 135 euros (about $145). France’s Les Pisteurs (security teams that keep the slopes and skiers safe) have the right to confiscate passes for anything from unsafe skiing to ignoring trail signs to not following ski etiquette. I have.

If you’re thinking about lighting up the slopes, check the rules first. In 2022, the village of Les Gets introduced a smoking ban, with possible fines for violators, to clean up the large number of discarded cigarette butts.

Forgetting your ski helmet in Italy could cost you $160

In Italy, skiing without ski liability insurance can result in a fine of 100 to 150 euros ($120 to $160). Children up to the age of 18 are also required to wear ski helmets, and failure to do so can result in a fine of 100 to 150 euros ($120 to $160).

If you ski off-piste in Italy, avoid nature reserves designed to protect wildlife and prevent avalanches. Trespassing these zones can be a costly crime. Skiing or boarding too fast can also result in fines and the confiscation of lift tickets.