Operating permit

In order to operate a ski slope, the operator must obtain an operating permit issued by the minister competent for traffic.

In order to obtain the operating permit, the ski slope operator must provide: 

• insurance against avalanches in avalanche-prone sections of the ski slope;
• protection next to precipices and other dangerous areas;
• protection around ski lift towers on ski slopes;
• order and protection of waiting queues in front of ski lift facilities;
• suitably prepared open ski slopes;
• marked borders of the ski slopes;
• warning and notification signs;
• a rescue and control unit;
• a telephone connection with the information centre;
• night-time operation if the ski slope operates at night;
• ski slope capacity.

Furthermore, the operator must provide at least one supervisor at the ski slope with a capacity of up to 300 skiers, two supervisors at a ski slope with a capacity of up to 1000 skiers, and one supervisor for every 1500 further skiers. The number of supervisors may also be smaller if the ski slopes as well as access and exit paths may be supervised from any location on the ski slope.

Within the rescue unit, the operator must provide at least one rescuer on a ski slope with a capacity of up to 500 skiers, two rescuers on a ski slope with the capacity of up to 3000 skiers, and one rescuer for every 1500 further skiers.