Tips and rules for staying safe in the mountains

Safety in the mountains

Safety first - especially on alpine adventures. After all, you should return home well rested, healthy and alert after an eventful holiday and unique tours. The following is a summary of the most important tips, rules and information for emergency behaviour, emergency calls, rules of conduct for hikers and bikers, additional rules of conduct especially for bikers, tips for climbers, rules of conduct for skiers & snowboarders, first aid on the mountain, avalanche danger & the SAAC camps. Take this information to heart - for your own safety, but also for the protection of all other nature lovers who are out and about in the mountains of the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena!

In case of emergency

In case of emergency, you should:

Stay calm
Call for help – either by dialling the emergency number or by shouting, blowing a whistle or calling attention to yourself otherwise
- You can find more information about the emergency call here.
Protect yourself first
Never leave an injured person, and stay at the site of the accident in a safe location
- You can find more information about first aid on the mountain here.
Avoid summits, ridges, via ferratas or isolated trees in case of a thunderstorm – if possible, seek shelter in your car or in a house or hut

Emergency call

The two most important emergency numbers:

140: Mountain rescue - Alpine emergency call
112: European emergency call (works with any mobile phone and in any available network)

If you have no network connection or could be in the radio shadow, you must either change your location or use the SOS emergency call function on your mobile phone.

A regional alternative is the emergency call app of the Tyrol Mountain Rescue Service: The emergency call is made and your own location is transmitted at the same time. The "Mountain Rescue Tyrol Emergency App" can be downloaded free of charge from the iTunes Store or Google Play Store.

Another alternative is the emergency call app "SOS-EU-Alp" or alerting via the "rescue points" on the trail. The emergency call is made and your own location is transmitted at the same time. The "SOS-EU-Alp" app can be downloaded free of charge from the iTunes Store, Google Play Store or AppGallery.

You'll find further emergency services here.

Rules of behaviour for hikers & mountain bikers

Keeping in mind the level of difficulty of the route and your own experience as well as your individual skills, make sure you act responsibly!
Respect closures and accept that the trails are primarily used for farm and forest work! Please close all gates to pastures, etc.!
Show consideration for nature and the region’s wildlife, and don’t leave the signposted routes! Avoid walking or cycling off the open trails!
End your tour before dusk!
Don’t litter!

the right preparation

5 points of tour planning

understanding difficulties

orientate correctly

climb correctly when hiking

hiking with children

attention, old snowfields!

Additional rules of behaviour for mountain bikers

Always drive at a controlled speed and with half visibility, especially when cornering, as obstacles can be expected at any time! Protect your head with a helmet!
Watch out for hikers and pedestrians, and slow down to walking pace if you decide to pass them!
Check your bike and equipment ahead of every tour (brakes, bell, light, etc.)!

There are several additional rules and guidelines for using the single trails:

Only ride the single trails at half speed! The condition of the climb is not checked, so downhillers ride at their own risk.
Show consideration for hikers, grazing livestock and game and do not drive off the path!
Watch out for alpine dangers!
Leave no traces! Shortcuts and blocked rear wheels damage the trail.

bike-check

what´s in my bike bag?

the tyre puncture

Replace brake pads

Change gearshift cable

what to do if the chain breaks

10 bike-hacks

Tips for sport & alpine climbers

Sport climbing has found many new fans in recent years. Initially, it was only reserved for high-performance "extreme" alpinists, but today it unites young and old, competitive and leisure climbers.

Secure safely

partner check for sport climbing

Rules of behaviour for skiers and snowboarders

The official code of conduct on the slopes by FIS states:

Show respect for others: Skiers or snowboarders must behave in such a way that they do not endanger or prejudice others.
Skiers or snowboarders must move in control. They must adapt their speed and manner of skiing or snowboarding to their personal ability and to the prevailing conditions of terrain, snow and weather as well as to the density of traffic. Be ready to stop at any moment!
Skiers or snowboarders coming from behind must choose their route in such a way that they do not endanger the skiers or snowboarders ahead of them.
Skiers or snowboarders may overtake other skiers or snowboarders above or below and to the right or to the left provided that they leave enough space for the overtaken skiers or snowboarders to make any voluntary or involuntary movement.
Skiers or snowboarders entering a marked run, starting again after stopping or moving upwards on the slopes must look up and down the slopes that they can do so without endangering themselves or others.

Unless absolutely necessary, skiers or snowboarders must avoid stopping on the slope in narrow places or where visibility is restricted. After a fall in such a place, skiers or snowboarders must move and clear of the slope as soon as possible.
Skiers or snowboarders either climbing or descending on foot must keep to the side of the slope.
Respect all signs and markings!
At accidents, every skier or snowboarder is duty bound to assist.
Bring your ID! Every skier or snowboarder and witness, whether a responsible party or not, must exchange names and addresses following an accident.

First aid on the mountain

With a few tools such as the aluminium rescue blanket or the Isreali bandage, many emergency situations on the mountain can be mastered.

emergency call & removal

Avalanche danger in winter

Always find out about the current avalanche situation and the corresponding forecast.

Here you can find the current avalanche forecast and the avalanche update from the Alpine Club.

SAAC-Tips

Snow and Avalanche Awareness Camps

We are very happy about 3 SAAC camps, that take place in our region.

SAAC also provides some important information on the topic of "Safety on the mountain". Discover more in the respective blog articeles.

Blog article:

Discover the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena

Summer in the mountains

Hiking, biking, lakes and public pools, special family offers, and countless different leisure activities: That's what makes summer in the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena a highlight for all holiday guests!

Learn more