S-3.1, r. 10 - Regulation respecting safety in Alpine ski centres

Updated to 1 October 2024

This document has official status.

chapter S-3.1, r. 10

Regulation respecting safety in Alpine ski centres

Act respecting safety in recreation and sports

(chapter S-3.1, s. 55.1).

DIVISION I GENERAL SAFETY OBLIGATIONS

1. The Mountain Code of Conduct, hereinafter called the Code, shall be posted at the ticket office of the centre and near the boarding area of each ski lift. The Code is as follows:

MOUNTAIN CODE OF CONDUCT

Code adopted under the Act respecting safety in recreation and sports (chapter S-3.1)

This Code applies to all persons practising snow sports.

1. Remain in control of your speed and direction. Make sure you can stop and avoid any person or obstacle.

2. Yield the right of way to persons downhill and choose a course that ensures their safety.

3. Stop on a trail only if you are visible from above and if you are not obstructing the trail.

4. Yield the right of way to persons uphill when entering a trail and at intersections.

5. If you are involved in or witness an accident, remain at the scene and identify yourself to a first-aider.

6. Use and wear at all times a proper device to prevent runaway equipment.

7. Keep out of the lifts and trails if your ability is impaired through use of alcohol or drugs.

8. Obey all signs and warnings and never venture off the trails or onto a closed trail.

All other rules of conduct that the operator imposes on Alpine skiers as well as the sanctions he intends to impose on Alpine skiers who violate the code of conduct and all other rules and, where applicable, the duration of the sanctions shall be posted up at the same places as the code of conduct. The rules and sanctions shall not be incorporated into the text of the code of conduct.

O.C. 1788-88, s. 1; M.O. 2000-02-11, s.1.

2. The Alpine skiers’ code of conduct shall be printed in letters at least 1.5 cm in height.

O.C. 1788-88, s. 2; O.C. 935-91, s. 1.

3. The Alpine skiers’ code of conduct shall not apply to an Alpine skier while in training or competition in an area reserved for such activities.

O.C. 1788-88, s. 3.

4. The level of difficulty of each Alpine ski slope shall be identified by means of one of the following designations:

(1)  easy;

(2)  difficult;

(3)  very difficult;

(4)  extreme or extremely difficult.

O.C. 1788-88, s. 4.

5. Where a ski lift gives access to very difficult or extreme or extremely difficult Alpine ski slopes only, a sign posted at the boarding area of the lift shall display the following message in letters at least 2.5 cm in height;

“This ski lift gives access to (indicate the level of difficulty of the accessible slopes) slopes only”.

O.C. 1788-88, s. 5.

5.1. The vertical lighting of an Alpine ski slope accessible to Alpine skiers shall be at least 2 lux in any place on that slope, and the average vertical lighting of any 35 m longitudinal segment of such slope shall be at least 5 lux.

The minimum vertical lighting measured in any place in a segment shall not be less than 1/10 of the average vertical lighting in that segment.

Vertical lighting shall be measured in accordance with the Measurement Procedure for Lighting Levels on Alpine Ski Slopes in Schedule 0.1.

O.C. 935-91, s. 2.

DIVISION II MOTORIZED VEHICLES

6. When the centre is open to skiers,

(1)  snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles shall

(a)  travel at all times with their lights on;

(b)  be equipped with an automatic intermittent horn oriented toward the front, with a sound pressure level of at least 97 dB at a distance of 0.61 m measured in the absence of any reflecting surface and that emits at a frequency of between 700 and 2,800 Hz;

(c)  be equipped with an orange flag at least 250 cm2 in size or a flashing light device or a rotating amber beacon that shall always be in operation, mounted at least 2 m above the ground;

(2)  tracker vehicles shall:

(a)  travel at all times with their lights on;

(b)  be equipped with 2 automatic intermittent horns, 1 oriented toward the rear and the other oriented toward the front. Each horn shall have a sound pressure level of at least 100 dB at 1.22 m of distance measured in the absence of any reflecting surface and shall emit at a frequency of at least 1,200 hz;

(c)  be equipped with a rotating amber beacon that shall always be in operation.

O.C. 1788-88, s. 6; O.C. 1572-95, s. 1; M.O. 2011-06-15, s. 1.

7. Where tractor vehicles groom the surface of an Alpine ski slope, the operator shall comply with one of the following instructions:

(1)  he shall close the slope by posting pictograph 241 in Schedule 1 at the beginning of the slope and at each of its access points located at the same level as or uphill from the work area and by prohibiting access thereto by physical means at each of those places; or

(2)  he shall post pictograph 273 in Schedule 1 at the centre of the beginning of the slope and at each of its access points located at the same level as or uphill from the work area and remove the pictograph as soon as the work is terminated and divert, by physical means, Alpine skiers from the work area.

O.C. 1788-88, s. 7; O.C. 1572-95, s. 2.

7.01. Where tractor vehicles are used on an Alpine ski slope for purposes other than for grooming its surface, the operator shall comply with one of the following instructions:

(1)  he shall close the slope by posting pictograph 241 in Schedule 1 at the beginning of the slope and at each of its access points located at the same level as or uphill from the work area and by prohibiting access thereto by physical means at each of those places; or

(2)  he shall post pictograph 273 in Schedule 1 uphill from each fault in the relief and from each curve from which the tractor vehicle located downhill is not visible far enough in advance so that the skier may have the manoeuvering space required to avoid it. Pictograph 273 shall be posted at the centre of the slope and shall be removed as soon as the tractor vehicle has passed.

Instead of posting pictograph 273, the operator may ask an employee to stand at the appropriate place.

This section does not apply where tractor vehicles are used at the request of a first-aider on an Alpine ski slope to assist a person.

O.C. 1572-95, s. 2.

DIVISION II.1 FIRST-AIDERS

O.C. 935-91, s. 3.

7.1. In order to act as a first-aider, a person shall be at least 16 years of age and shall hold a first-aid qualification certificate attesting that he has passed an examination covering all the elements of the training program set forth in Schedule 1.1.

A first-aid qualification certificate may be issued only by a body approved by the Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports.

A body wishing to be approved by the Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports shall submit an application to the Minister and obtain the Minister’s approval for its method of managing the training program, its teaching methods and the equipement that it plans to use.

O.C. 935-91, s. 3; M.O. 2000-02-11, s. 2.

7.2. A first-aid qualification certificate is valid until the end of the ski season during which it is issued or, if it is issued between 2 seasons, until the end of the ski season after its issue.

It may be renewed by an approved body upon application by its holder where he has passed an examination following an updating course of at least 16 hours covering all the elements of the training program, with at least 4 hours devoted exclusively to cardiorespiratory resuscitation.

O.C. 935-91, s. 3; M.O. 2011-06-15, s. 2.

7.3. (Revoked).

O.C. 935-91, s. 3; M.O. 2011-06-15, s. 3.

DIVISION III FIRST-AID

8. First-aiders shall be supplied with first-aid kits containing at least the items described in Schedule 2.

O.C. 1788-88, s. 8.

9. Every Alpine ski centre shall be equipped with a room reserved for first aid. That room shall be equipped with at least the items described in Schedule 3, and pictograph 230 in Schedule 1 shall be posted outside at the entrance to the room.

The first-aid room described in the preceding paragraph is not required in a ski centre that has only 1 ski slope with a grade of 25 m or less and that is located 5 km or less from a hospital centre, provided that there is a room accessible to an injured skier.

O.C. 1788-88, s. 9; O.C. 935-91, s. 4.

10. The first-aid service in an Alpine ski centre shall be equipped with at least 2 emergency toboggans kept at the top of the slope. Where a ski centre has more than 1 skiable summit, each summit shall be equipped with at least 1 toboggan.

A ski centre that has only 1 ski slope with a grade of 25 m or less and that is located 5 km or less from a hospital centre shall be equipped with at least 1 emergency toboggan kept at the top or at the bottom of the slope.

The toboggans shall be at least 1.85 m in length and, where they are operated by only 1 first-aider with a person on board, they shall be equipped with a braking device that can be operated by the first-aider.

Each toboggan shall be equipped with 2 blankets, an underpad or a sleeping bag, a rappel cord and splints or any other immobilization system.

O.C. 1788-88, s. 10; O.C. 935-91, s. 5; O.C. 1572-95, s. 3.

11. The following equipment must be near every emergency toboggan required by this Regulation:

(1)  1 dorsal board;

(2)  1 rigid cervical collar and 2 sand bags, or any other system permitting the immobilization of the head of the injured skier.

O.C. 1788-88, s. 11; O.C. 935-91. s. 6; O.C. 1572-95, s. 4.

12. The accident report required under paragraph 2 of section 46.8 of the Act respecting safety in recreation and sports (chapter S-3.1) shall be written on the form in Schedule 4 provided by the Minister.

O.C. 1788-88, s. 12; O.C. 935-91, s. 7.

DIVISION IV SIGNS

13. A diagram of the ski slopes and ski lifts shall be displayed between the reception centre and the Alpine ski slopes.

The diagram shall indicate:

(1)  for each Alpine ski slope:

(a)  its track;

(b)  its name or number, or both;

(c)  its level of difficulty by means of pictographs 200, 201, 202 or 203 in Schedule 1;

(2)  the track of each ski lift by means of an unbroken red line;

(3)  a legend specifying the levels of difficulty of pictographs 200, 201, 202 and 203.

O.C. 1788-88, s. 13.

14. A sign shall be posted at the landing area of each ski lift, except those serving exclusively a clearly identified learning area, indicating for each Alpine ski slope accessible from that location:

(1)  its name or number, or both;

(2)  its level of difficulty;

(3)  an arrow indicating the direction to follow in order to reach it.

That information shall be given by means of the pictographs in Schedule 1 displayed on the sign in accordance with that Schedule.

O.C. 1788-88, s. 14; M.O. 2011-06-15, s. 4.

15. Pictograph 242 in Schedule 1 shall be placed at the landing area of each ski lift, except those serving exclusively a clearly identified learning area.

O.C. 1788-88, s. 15; M.O. 2011-06-15, s. 5.

16. A sign displaying the pictographs required under section 14 shall be placed at the beginning of each Alpine ski slope.

O.C. 1788-88, s. 16.

17. At every intersection where skiers may ski on Alpine ski slopes of a level of superior difficulty, a sign shall be placed displaying for each slope the pictographs required under section 14.

O.C. 1788-88, s. 17.

18. The presence of removable or operating snowmaking machines on an Alpine ski slope shall be indicated at the beginning of the slope and on the slope, immediately uphill from the machines, by means of pictograph 272 in Schedule 1.

O.C. 1788-88, s. 18; M.O. 2000-02-11, s. 3.

19. Air and water hydrants on an Alpine ski slope or in the area bordering the slope that is cleared of trees shall be indicated by means of an orange flag at least 250 cm2 in size, displayed at least 1.5 m above each such hydrant.

If an air hydrant and a water hydrant are less than one metre apart, a single flag is sufficient to indicate their presence.

O.C. 1788-88, s. 19; M.O. 2011-06-15, s. 6.

20. The signs posted in an Alpine ski centre to indicate any of the situations described in Schedule 1 shall use the pictographs in that Schedule for those situations.

O.C. 1788-88, s. 20.

DIVISION V TERRAIN PARKS

M.O. 2000-02-11, s. 4; M.O. 2011-06-15, s. 7.

21. The facilities and equipment intended for jumps or other figures constitute a terrain park, except those in an area reserved for training or competitions.

O.C. 1788-88, s. 21; M.O. 2000-02-11, s. 4; M.O. 2011-06-15, s. 8.

22. Access to a terrain park elsewhere than at the entrances shall be prohibited by a permanent physical means. The entrances shall be designed so that no one may enter unknowingly and be indicated by pictograph 212 in Schedule 1.

M.O. 2000-02-11, s. 4; M.O. 2011-06-15, s. 9.

23. All the rules of conduct that the operator imposes on Alpine skiers who enter the terrain park, as well as the sanctions he intends to impose on Alpine skiers who violate those rules and, where applicable, the duration of the sanctions, shall be posted at the entrances to the terrain park.

The operator shall indicate that those rules apply in addition to the Mountain Code of Conduct provided for in section 1.

M.O. 2000-02-11, s. 4; M.O. 2011-06-15, s. 10.

24. Pictograph 252 in Schedule 1 shall be placed at the entrances to the terrain park.

M.O. 2011-06-15, s. 11.

SCHEDULE 0.1

(s. 5.1)

MEASUREMENT PROCEDURE FOR LIGHTING LEVELS ON ALPINE SKI SLOPES

1.0 PURPOSE

This Measurement Procedure was designed to provide a methodology for measuring lighting levels on ski slopes in Québec so that they can be compared with the standard currently in force.

2.0 STANDARD

The vertical lighting of an Alpine ski slope accessible to Alpine skiers shall be at least 2 lux in any place on that slope, and the average vertical lighting of any 35m longitudinal segment of such slope shall be at least 5 lux.

The minimum vertical lighting measured in any place in a segment shall not be less than 1/10 of the average vertical lighting in that segment.

3.0 APPLICATION OF THE PROCEDURE

This Procedure provides a method enabling users to efficaciously test several segments of a slope and constitute a file comprising results with maximum precision.

4.0 CONDITIONS FOR VALIDITY

To ensure that the results are valid, the readings shall be taken during the period between 1 hour after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise.

5.0 TEST METHOD

5.1 MEASUREMENT GRID

The method uses a single 18-point measurement grid. The grid must be applied to a 35m longitudinal segment of a slope. It is important to measure this length on site and to take the measurements at the distances specified in Figure 1.

5.2 REFERENCE BAR FOR POSITIONING THE PHOTOMETER

The use of an inverted T-shaped reference bar is recommended for positioning the light-receptor cell of the photometer in accordance with the Procedure. The bar must meet the following requirements:

— it must form a 90º angle to the average gradient of the segment of the slope to be measured;

— it must be at a height of 1m.

See Figure 2.

6.0 TAKING MEASUREMENTS

All measurements must be taken in accordance with the criteria set forth in this Division. The precision and validity of the measurements cannot be guaranteed unless the method used complies with the requirements mentioned below.

6.1 METHOD

(a) Identify the point where the measurement is to be taken. It must be determined in accordance with the measurement grid used (Figure 1);

(b) Position the light-receptor cell of the photometer according to the following guidelines:

i. Angle of the photometer in the horizontal plane

The light-receptor cell of the photometer must form a 90º angle to the average gradient of the segment measured. It must therefore be positioned perpendicularly to the surface. Use a reference bar to position the photometer (or its light-receptor cell). See figure 2.

ii. Orientation of the photometer in the vertical plane

The light-receptor cell of the photometer must be oriented toward a point situated in the centre of the slope 35m uphill from the measuring point. See Figures 3 and 4.

iii. Height of the photometer

The light-receptor cell of the photometer must be positioned 1m above the surface of the snow.

O.C. 935-91, s. 8.

SCHEDULE 1

SIGNS

(ss. 7, 7.01, 9, 13 to 18, 20, 22 and 24)

— Layout of symbols on signs:

· The level of difficulty symbol shall be placed on the left in a white window.

· The slope number shall be placed inside the level of difficulty symbol except when using pictograph 203 where the number is placed outside the symbol between the 2 square-shaped diamonds (see illustration pictograph 204)

· The letter shall follow the number and be placed inside the level of difficulty symbol (except for pictograph 203).

· The arrow shall be placed on the extreme right.

· Any other information symbol such as underbrush or moguls shall be placed to the right of the window showing the level of difficulty.

· The symbol indicating level of difficulty, underbrush or moguls (if any) and the arrow shall be placed in their respective windows.

— Notes:

· Every sign shall have a 0.6 cm border and rounded corners.

· Dimensions given are minimums. Users may utilise larger signs and adjust the necessary pictographs proportionnally.

· The colours used shall be Pantone blue 286c, red 200c, green 341c and yellow 123c.

O.C. 1788-88, Sch. 1; M.O. 2000-02-11, s. 5; M.O. 2011-06-15, s. 12.

SCHEDULE 1.1

(s. 7.1)

TRAINING PROGRAM

The Training Program shall cover each of the elements in the following Divisions:

DIVISION I

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE FIRST-AIDER

Status and role of a first-aider;

Guidelines for action in the case of serious injuries and minor injuries;

Management of operations in the case of an accident;

Aptitudes and skills of a first-aider.

The training covering the elements in this Division shall have a duration of at least 2 hours.

DIVISION II

FIRST AID

Anatomy and physiology (organ systems);

Examination of an injured skier:

— primary examination (vital signs);

— secondary examination (other injuries);

Injuries:

— to the head;

— to the spine;

— to the chest;

— to the eyes;

— to the connective tissues;

— due to cold or heat;

Shock and serious bleeding;

Unconsciousness;

Fractures and dislocations;

Wounds;

Poisoning and drug abuse;

Dressings, bandages and slings;

Transporting an injured skier;

Practical exercises and simulations:

— use of the triangular bandage and splints;

— bandaging the head, eye, shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, hand, body, hip, leg, knee and foot;

— use of pressure bandage;

— locating a skeletal injury;

— ways to take a pulse;

— handling the emergency toboggan;

— using the dorsal board or any other restraint system;

— techniques for transporting an injured skier;

— treatment of fractures, dislocations and injuries to the connective tissues;

Cardiorespiratory resuscitation:

— maintaining vital functions;

— cerebrovascular accident;

— causes and symptoms:

i. of respiratory insufficiency;

ii. of circulatory insufficiency;

— methods of resuscitation:

— blocking and unblocking of respiratory passages;

— resuscitation by 1 or 2 first-aiders.

The training covering the elements in this Division shall have a duration of at least 44 hours.

DIVISION III

THE ACT, THE REGULATION AND PREVENTION

The Act respecting safety in recreation and sports (chapter S-3.1);

The Regulation respecting safety in Alpine ski centres (chapter S-3.1, r. 10);

Communication and interaction with skiers for the purpose of promoting accident prevention.

The training covering the elements in this Division shall have a duration of at least 4 hours.

DIVISION IV

GENERAL ELEMENTS

Alpine skiing;

Means of communication;

Evacuation from ski lifts;

Reconnaissance and patrol of ski slopes;

Evacuation of an injured skier from the ski centre;

Accident report;

Contents of the first-aid room;

Contents of the first-aid kit.

The training covering the elements in this Division shall have a duration of at least 6 hours.

O.C. 935-91, s. 9.

SCHEDULE 2

(s. 8)

MINIMUM ITEMS FOR THE FIRST-AID KIT

— 6 triangular bandages;

— sterile pads;

— adhesive tape;

— tongue depressors;

— safety pins;

— knife or scissors;

— a pocket-size diagram of the slopes and ski lifts.

O.C. 1788-88, Sch. 2.

SCHEDULE 3

(s. 9)

MINIMUM ITEMS FOR THE FIRST-AID ROOM

— bed or stretcher with mattress;

— partition screen;

— adequate lighting;

— hot and cold drinking water;

— a sink and a basin;

— blankets;

— sanitary facilities in the same building or nearby;

— soap;

— clean towels and facecloths;

— an assortment of splints;

— 8 triangular bandages;

— 2 rolls of adhesive tape 1.25 cm wide;

— 2 tongue depressors;

— 24 fabric bandages;

— a pair of bandage scissors;

— 20 safety pins.

O.C. 1788-88, Sch. 3.

SCHEDULE 4

(s. 12)

ACCIDENT REPORT

O.C. 1788-88, Sch. 4; O.C. 935-91, s. 10; O.C. 1572-95, s. 5; M.O. 2000-02-11, s. 6; M.O. 2011-06-15, s. 13.

REFERENCES

O.C. 1788-88, 1988 G.O. 2, 3952

O.C. 935-91, 1991 G.O. 2, 2871

O.C. 1572-95, 1995 G.O. 2, 3563

S.Q. 1997, c. 79, s. 33

M.O. 2000-02-11, 2000 G.O. 2, 913

M.O. 2011-06-15, 2011 G.O. 2, 1637

S.Q. 2024, c. 25, s. 38