Montgenevre advice please

Did anyone inform you that off piste in Italy is actually illegal?

More Sauze than Chelsea? Didn't you mean more Chelsea than Sauze? Mind you, I havent seen a Chelsea shirt in Sauze before. Just a few Scotland ones.....

Tony_H wrote:Did anyone inform you that off piste in Italy is actually illegal?

Where have you got that from Tony?

AFAIK, it is now mandatory to carry avi kit if going off-piste in Italy - but I'm not sure if that's actually law or locally-enforced rules of the ski areas.

I've only heard of one resort (Livigno) that has banned it completely.

Anyone else shed any light on this?

We've just come back from Italy. I am not good enough to ski off piste but if it had been illegal I am sure the reps would've informed us.

Found this from last yr and tbh I find it very shocking. Given the amount of piste there is to ski on, I think people should think twice about skiing off piste. Not only are you endangering your own lives but you're causing potential avalanches in some areas. I know some people will disagree but come on, safety should be paramount.

sorry link http://www.cntraveller.com/news/2010/february/off-piste-skiers-to-face-ban-in-italy

Have done some more searching
http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/skiresorts/countrymountain.aspx/Italy#OffPistePolicy

"Off piste policy in Italy"
Although it is actually illegal to ski off-piste in Italy, we found that the guides actively encouraged it and the heli-ski companies seem to have immunity. Although we would never encourage anyone to engage in illegal activities, it seems to be a law that is seldom enforced. It goes without saying that any off-piste activity requires transceiver, probe and shovel, as well as the ability to use this equipment.

So Tony H is spot on!

Discodee wrote:Have done some more searching
http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/skiresorts/countrymountain.aspx/Italy#OffPistePolicy

"Off piste policy in Italy"
Although it is actually illegal to ski off-piste in Italy, we found that the guides actively encouraged it and the heli-ski companies seem to have immunity. Although we would never encourage anyone to engage in illegal activities, it seems to be a law that is seldom enforced. It goes without saying that any off-piste activity requires transceiver, probe and shovel, as well as the ability to use this equipment.

So Tony H is spot on!

I thank you. I remember seeing that somewhere last season, and heard of certain places where people have been thrown off the mountain and had lift passes taken away, but not sure about actually facing charges.
I only want people to be careful and not get into trouble.
Personally I often bob off piste, but not usually too far. Itinerary routes which are marked and patrolled seem to be the best option, if there are any.

The laws in Italy are region specific. In Piedmont and Aosta, it's at your own risk and with the correct equipment.

There's between piste, off-piste and back country skiing, each with different elements of risk. It doesn't stop idiots, but calculated risks are what life is about. Hurtling down a crowded slope at 35 miles an hour is just as risky.

Know the mountain, respect the mountain.