Winter safety: new norms by the Piemonte region, Italy

A new safety law brought into effect by the national laws (L. 24 December 2003, n.363) regards the obligation to use electronic search and rescue devices (rescue beacons) as well as a shovel and probe for all those wishing to ski off-piste and carry out ski mountaineering in the Piemonte region of Northern Italy. Those who ignore this law risk a fine of up to 250 euro

It should be noted that the old 2003 law already obliged ski mountaineers to use rescue beacons to guarantee a rescue where prevailing weather and snow conditions created an obvious avalanche risk. It seems clear therefore that this new 2009 law renders these devices obligatory for both ski mountaineering and freeride at all times.

We've strongly believe that no price tag can ever be put on safety and that the rescue beacon, shovel and probe should form part of the DNA of all those who take to the mountains in winter. Regardless of whether they are in the Piemonte or elsewhere.