Section 8: Safety Considerations
8.1 Course Preparation
All competition venues must be inspected and certified by the FIS Technical Delegate before the first training run. Landing areas require minimum snow depth (typically 1.0–1.5 m / 3.3–4.9 ft of packed snow) to ensure safe impact absorption. Course features are hand-shaped and machine-groomed, with measurements verified against FIS specifications.
8.2 Wind and Weather Limits
- Aerials: Maximum sustained wind speed 4 m/s (9 mph) at kicker height. Gusting conditions may lead to competition hold or cancellation.
- Moguls: Maximum 8 m/s (18 mph). Visibility must allow athletes to see the full course from the start.
- Halfpipe / Slopestyle: Maximum 8 m/s (18 mph). Wind affects amplitude and landing safety on exposed features.
- Ski Cross: Maximum 12 m/s (27 mph). Higher tolerance due to the racing nature, but visibility must remain adequate for safe racing at speed.
8.3 Medical Requirements
- A medical team with stretcher and toboggan access must be stationed at every jump, kicker, or feature location.
- An ambulance must be on-site with a clear evacuation route to the nearest hospital.
- For Aerials, an airbag landing system must be available during official training sessions for athletes attempting new or high-difficulty maneuvers.
8.4 Athlete Responsibility
Athletes are responsible for inspecting the course during the official inspection period. By starting, an athlete accepts that the course conditions are safe. Athletes are encouraged to report any hazardous conditions (ice patches, exposed rocks, damaged features) to the jury before competition begins.
8.5 Concussion Protocol
FIS follows a standardized concussion management protocol. Any athlete suspected of concussion (loss of consciousness, disorientation, balance problems, or visible distress after impact) must be immediately removed from competition and evaluated by the event medical team using the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT). An athlete diagnosed with concussion may not return to competition until cleared by a physician, with a minimum 24-hour rest period before beginning a graduated return-to-sport protocol.
8.6 Night and Artificial-Light Events
- Moguls and Aerials events may be held under artificial lighting for broadcast purposes. Lighting must provide minimum 1,200 lux across the competition area with no dark zones or glare on the snow surface.
- Athletes must have the opportunity to train under artificial lighting before competing in night events.
- Emergency lighting (backup generators) must be available in case of primary power failure during a night event.
8.7 Anti-Doping
FIS enforces anti-doping rules in accordance with the WADA Code. In-competition and out-of-competition testing is conducted at all World Cup, World Championship, and Olympic events. Athletes in the FIS Registered Testing Pool must provide whereabouts information. Violations result in provisional suspension, hearing, and potential multi-year bans.