Safety and Liability in the practice of Skiing: How Law and Cognitive Sciences shape the driving factor of Winter Tourism

Abstract

Witnessing an injured skier being airlifted by helicopter from a winter ski resort is an unforgettable event, reminding us of the risks of snow-based winter sports, particularly alpine skiing. The world’s media attention for the ski accident suffered by Michael Schumacher for example, illustrated a collective concern for the safety of ski areas (Allen, 2014), showing how even the slightest inattention on the part of the skier, combined with the lack of optimal precautions of the ski area, may cause serious, and potentially fatal, injuries.