The textbook definition for off-piste skiing is, skiing away from the recognised ski runs within the resort boundaries, or skiing outside the boundaries of a resort with a qualified guide. The Ski Club of Great Britain say that in the truest sense of the word ‘off-piste’ relates to any area that is not marked as an official run (or piste) by the local ski area/ski patrol. ‘Off-piste’, however, is often used to mean areas far away from any marked run. Despite this conception, even an area a few centimetres away from a marked run is actually ‘off-piste’
There are geographical differences regarding this though. In North America ski areas have boundaries, often marked by a rope. As long as you stay within this boundary the resort accepts responsibility for making sure the slopes are free from avalanches. Also, these slopes are patrolled and checked at the end of the day. In Europe, though, as soon as you leave the marked piste, you are on your own.
Alpine resorts have argued that part of the appeal of being in the mountains is that you are in a natural environment and that the American way is too tame and not exciting enough. There is plenty of backcountry skiing in America, with no avalanche control or patrols. If you go past the control gates in the ski area boundaries you are on your own, as you would be in Europe. But inside these boundaries there some very steep and ungroomed slopes that would be off-piste and very dangerous in Europe.
Some of the Alpine resorts are trying to tackle this problem, but in different ways. Mainly, they are removing piste status from formerly controlled and patrolled black runs, thus making it impossible to gauge the safety or not of these slopes. The problem with European resorts is that they use different definitions for ‘off-piste’ and it has become confusing. What is needed is a standardisation of terms used for marked off-piste runs and an explanation of what each term means.
Some of the risks of off-piste include; unstable snow, rapidly changing weather, glacier crevasses and rockfalls. If you are thinking of going off-piste, you do need to be aware of what you are facing and be able to assess it accordingly. You must be aware of your limitations and avoid being too ambitious. Off-piste skiing needs caution and respect for the mountains. You are advised never to ski off-piste without a qualified mountain guide or instructor (though many people ignore this advice and head out on their own – which is when most avalanche deaths occur). Always tell someone what time you intend to leave and when you are to be expected back. Be well equipped with warm clothing, mobile phone and safety equipment. You must be aware of the level of avalanche danger and which areas have been checked for danger.