Nicola Werdenigg

[nicola 0]

Parnassos Safety first

 

As I was asked by some of you about my impressions on safety awareness by the mt. Parnassos lift operators a few thoughts and ideas.

 

First things first - there might be a big difference in the disposition to security questions between Greece and Germans/Austrians/Swiss people. à While in Greece everything is allowed which is not explicitly forbidden in our countries everything is forbidden which is not explicitly allowed. The Greece attitude is much more my taste, because imho bearing responsibility for one self is the safest way of (mountain) living and getting used that everything must be regulated doesn’t avoid danger itself.

 

Probably the most effective way to obtain a high level of safetyness for skiing your beautiful mountains, is your own awareness for possible risks. And as the Greek seefearing tradition is so much older than alpine skiing, just think of your roots as excellent sailors …

 

In brief

 

- Don’t ascend a slope or mountain (neither on skilift, snowcat nor on foot) if you are not sure that snowconditions allow skiing downhill at a safe stile. Be aware that even “on offical skilift slopes” the snow could be ungroomed and hard (to impossible) to descend on skis. As I found out on our snowcat tour that some greek skiguides might not check the level of skiing skills of the participants you should ask your guide which conditions are expected in the unsupported terrain and if it is possible to manage with your skills.

Nice to have – groomed slopes when the lifts start, operators to inform you about conditions (if they don’t talk to you, just ask), responsible and thoughtful skiguides – they don’t have to kiss your ass but safe it.

 

- Although it’s easy to ascend the mountain by skilifts, don’t forget that you are in a high mountain terrain. Weather, snow conditions and visibility can change within minutes. There are the same risks like in shipping the open ocean, furthermore you don’t use a radar system for skiing and the reception of your mobile phone might not be working on the whole mountain.

Nice to have – destination boards and direction signs, free pocket aerea maps

 

- Some of the lifts are “charming vintage” models you should treat them with care – e.g. if you go uphill on the small t-bar (we used the first day), don’t leave the track, otherwise you could pull off the rope from the holding wheels, which may cause a long repair pause or even a bad accident.

Nice to have – operators and/or signs to inform about best performance and smooth away of difficulties on those lifts.

 

- Probably the restaurant’s concept is designed for alternate function as a skating rink – thanks to donmeli we could avoid a generous double salchow – just take care not to loose your coffee and balance.

Nice to have – warning signs, better rubber mats everywhere (a restaurant with this safety hazard would be closed within minutes in Austria)

 

best regards from Austria

nicola

[donmeli 14]

Hi Nicola, thx for the input.

 

Interesting point of view about safety issues you have. Are you 100% sure you don't have a little bit of greek influence in your family tree Normaly central/northern European people are safety-fanatics in oposite to us Greeks who are used to look at those issues in a more "personal" way.

 

 

I totaly agree with you that its kind of restrictive to deal with meassures that have been taken in plan to prevent even "the dumbest from any possible danger that they could somewhere-somehow find theirselfs exposed to" just to avoid lawsuits and then apply them in generaly independendly of of who is acting and what his capabilities are.

 

On the other hand a more liberal enviroment that allows almost everything to everyone ( like here in Greece) is in need of a mechanism that makes clear to everyone the conditions they have to deal with so that they can make their decision based on facts rather than speculations.

 

In that point we need a major improvement here, as you very correctly pointed out. Charts and maps, warning signs, informed personal etc. which provide as more information as posible to the skiers.

 

The surface at the restaurant in Kellaria you mentioned is that slippery by purpose and has nothing to do with safety problems. It's the first thing skiinstructors take you to for the 1st leson. If you can walk all the way from the door to the counter and back without falling down or spilling your coffe then you are definately ready for the slopes.