You are in safe hands
It is surprising how much work goes on behind the scenes to minimise the dangers on the mountain and to ensure you have a worry free ski. It is in fact a mammoth task which is entrusted to the guardian angel of skiers, the pisteur.
Required not only to be expert skiers who know the mountain like the back of their hand but also explosive, medical and rescue specialists, the pisteur's job is a many faceted one. The professionals are on the hill early to inspect the pistes, making any necessary changes to safety netting, piste markers and signposts and using explosives to blast potential avalanche slopes. All this before the keenest skiers can catch the coveted first lifts.
During the day the pisteur's time is spent surveying the marked runs, looking out for natural hazards and irresponsible behaviour. At the end of the skiing day they are charged with collecting up any stragglers, ensuring that no one gets left out in the cold.
From their outposts they provide information to skiers on the weather and snow conditions and are constantly on call in the event of an accident on or off the piste. From the most minor bump to broken limbs and avalanche search and rescue it is the pisteur who will be first on the scene to reassure, administer care and treatment and when necessary take the injured off the mountain.
Extensively trained in all aspects of their job, you can rest assured you are in safe hands.
Source: Le Dauphiné Libéré
