Standardisation of Measuring Piste Lengths in France to be Brought into Effect?

Apparently there is no common method of measuring a piste and policies regarding rounding-up or down vary from resort to resort (“honestly, it’s this big” *stretches arms out wide*). Some choose to measure in a direct line from top to bottom, whereas others calculate the distance that an actual skier would cover, which, when you include all the turns can add up to a difference of 30%.

Currently, if a ski resort chooses to advertise how many kilometres of piste they have, they also have to state which method of measuring they have used. The Domaines Skiables de France (DSF), a professional syndicate, has invited 250 resorts to adopt a common standard that will bring everyone into line and record all their “official” statistics on a website.

Understandably, some resorts are not happy about this as they feel they might be short-changed. Others are in favour, as they feel that some resorts are blowing their own trumpets a little too hard and this will level the playing field. Others countries, such as Austria, already adhere to a standardised system and this is what the DSF would like to see implemented in France.

The possibilities are being discussed at the 77th DSF Conference in Biarritz this week, attended by 600 representatives from French ski resorts.