Safety on the ski slopes is a constant priority for the resorts, which are redoubling their efforts to offer skiers a safe and enjoyable experience. Among these initiatives, Méribel, located in the heart of the 3 Vallées, stands out for its innovative approach. A pioneer in France, the resort has introduced ‘Security Patrols’, a concept inspired by North American resorts.
This initiative aims not only to control, but above all to inform and prevent risky behaviour on the slopes. The patrollers, in collaboration with the ski patrol, use advanced technologies, such as drones, to monitor and intervene quickly when needed.
This approach is part of a broader trend in which French ski resorts are strengthening their security measures. The Ministry of Sport, in partnership with the National Federation for Safety and Rescue in Ski Areas, has renewed its prevention campaign ‘Pour que la montagne reste un plaisir’ (So that the mountains remain a pleasure).
Security patrols: a pillar of the Méribel ski area
Present throughout the ski area, the Security Patrols play a key role in ensuring that ski days run smoothly. They do not simply enforce the rules, but become true players in customer service and risk prevention.
A reassuring and caring presence
As soon as they arrive on the slopes, skiers can count on the Security Patrols to guide them. These officers, easily recognisable thanks to their specific uniforms, perform several essential tasks:
- Welcoming and informing skiers: they provide visitors with information on the weather conditions, the quality of the snow, the slopes suitable for their level and recommended itineraries.
- Helping skiers in difficulty: they intervene quickly to assist those who are struggling to get up after a fall, who are unsure about which slope to choose or who are experiencing technical problems with their equipment.
Regulating flows and preventing accidents
During busy periods, flow management is essential to avoid congestion at the ski lifts and reduce tensions between skiers of different levels. The Security Patrols play an active role in:
- Optimising access to the ski lifts: they streamline boarding in busy periods and ensure that queues remain organised.
- Regulation of traffic on the slopes: they prevent dangerous gatherings and intervene to discourage risky behaviour, such as speeding in busy areas.
Awareness raising and increased safety
Another important role of the Security Patrols is accident prevention. Their visible presence reminds skiers of the rules of good conduct and encourages responsible behaviour. They can intervene even before an accident occurs, alerting skiers to potential dangers (black ice, intersections, difficult slopes).
- They make regular rounds of the area to identify and report hazards (holes, patches of ice, poorly marked areas).
- They remind people of the essential rules such as giving priority to skiers travelling downhill and the obligation to stop in cleared areas.
- They can also check whether skiers are intoxicated, particularly during festive events or at the end of the day.
First responders in the event of an accident
When an accident occurs, the first few minutes are crucial to ensure rapid and effective care and avoid further accidents. Even before the ski patrol arrives, the Security Patrols are often the first on the scene.
- They secure the accident area, preventing other skiers from making the situation worse.
- They immediately alert the emergency services, providing precise information on the condition of the injured person and the surrounding conditions.
- They help the emergency services to transport the injured person, managing the flow of skiers and organising a safe evacuation.
The work of the Security Patrols upstream considerably reduces the response time of the ski patrols, which can make a huge difference in the care of the injured.
The ski patrols: masters of rescue in alpine environments
Although the Security Patrols play an essential role in prevention and initial intervention, it is the ski patrols that provide mountain rescue. Every day, they patrol the ski area to ensure that the slopes are open in complete safety. Some ski patrols specialise in avalanche management, and their expertise enables them to monitor and maintain the slopes in order to avoid any risk of avalanche and to be able to set up safety measures if necessary.
They are also the ones who provide first aid to accident victims and who are responsible for evacuating them by snow groomer or helicopter. By working closely with the Security Patrols, they benefit from real-time information on the state of the ski area and any incidents.
Technological innovation: drones for security in addition to Security Patrols
Méribel is also the first resort in France to have integrated drones into the surveillance and management of the ski area. These drones represent a real innovation at the service of the resorts in terms of mountain safety.
The drones are used to spot a skier in distress more quickly; thanks to their thermal cameras, they can locate a person buried under the snow or injured off-piste. They can also assist the emergency services during interventions. Even before the ski patrols arrive, the drones can assess the situation and optimise the dispatch of emergency services. Their technology also enables them to monitor the resort’s infrastructure in order to prevent risks. Méribel optimises the efficiency and speed of interventions thanks to its drones, thus guaranteeing a safer ski area.
With the introduction of Security Patrols, the resort of Méribel has been able to position itself at the forefront of mountain safety. This approach, combining a caring human presence and technological innovation, ensures a smooth and safe skiing experience. In the light of the success of this initiative, other resorts in France are beginning to take inspiration from the Méribel model to improve safety management in their areas.
