Ski Theft

Thanks everyone. I'm working with a couple of students to make an antitheft device for skis. It will attach on the equipment and will be activated via an app on the mobile phone. If someone tries to run away with your skis, or take your skis by mistake it will raise an alarm and also notify you via the app. How does that sound? I was wondering where I could get some statistics about ski theft in Europe? The SIA has great statistical data for the US but I couldn't find any statistics for Europe on the web except a few old ones for Austria.

Not had a theft but the same "taken wrong ski's sceario" with a group I was away with 3 years ago and the only time I have ever experienced it, though we do tend to mix ski's even though they are rentals just so you are not stuck miles away from anywhere without ski's.

We were away as quite a large group of 20 and we had all split up during the day and on this day in Champoluc we all met for a late afternoon Hot Choc/Coffee in a mountain hut so we could ski the last few runs together.

We were the last to leave the hut and everyone clicked in except one who was walking up and down, saying ok who's the funny bugger and hidden my ski's.

It became apparant that someone had taken the wrong set and actuallty exchanged their own ski's for a set of rentals.

boot size the same so managed to click in and ski back to town.

The guy took the ski's to the rental shop where we hired from to explain and there is this irate French man accusing someone of stealing his brand new ski's

Probably too many vin Chaud's, although the ski colour similar the make, length and shape totally diffrent.

I had a guy take my rental skis off the ski bus In Sweden and leave me with his. They were a bit too big but the helpful bus driver altered the bindings and off I went. It all got sorted out back in resort that night

In the past I left my skis overnight outside the bar on a few occasions and they were exactly where I left them in the morning. But that was when I was on lower-end beginner skis, I generally avoid leaving skis these days, I either use the locker by the lifts or drop them in the chalet, and I don't go to restaurants on a mountain which you can reach by gondolas or cable cars. Don't like my skis looking all new a shiny too and use stickers so when I happen to go to the bar before getting home and leave skis outside most people would know they are my skis.

Apparently this is more of an issue nearer the border with some of the old Eastern Block countries.
Rumor has it great numbers find their way into Bulgaria.

The difference is that in the US, nearly every ski area has a free, or cheap (60p) ski check. Very seldom do you have to leave your skis anywhere vulnerable to theft.

I used to have a ski lock, one of those with a wire and a combination lock. Ok until it went wrong and we couldn't open it. Solution was to cut the wire which was ridiculously easy. Zero security beyond the deterrent really.

Unfortunately I believe ski theft is an increasing problem. I accept that on the mountain loss of skis is usually as a result of a mix up but in situations where skis are left in rack outside a bar in the village they are vulnerable if unsecured. I know for a fact that in one area there has been a developing problem with organised gangs targeting hire skis (latest models and new). 2 years ago a van leaving a ski resort was stopped by the police and it was full to the roof with stolen skis. Another aspect is the insurance issue. If you don't secure your skis and they go missing (either through mix up or actual theft), they may not pay up. Added to that is all the hassle of having to go off the slopes to the local nick to make the report and get the paperwork for the claim. half a days skiing lost....
I always lock my skis - even for the shortest periods...