Ski Patrol promotes safety on ski slopes in Georgia

With the snow season now in full swing, Georgia is launching a Ski Patrol service to ensure safety on the ski tracks at the country's winter resorts.

The Ski Patrol, which includes 74 trained police officers, will prevent accidents and protect the safety of tourists in all of Georgia’s iconic winter resorts - Gudauri, Bakuriani, Svaneti and Goderdzi.

A pilot project was launched in January 2016 in line with an initiative of Georgia's Minister of Internal Affairs Giorgi Mghebrishvili. 

The pilot project was successful so this winter season the Ski Patrol idea was again introduced.

Members of the Ski Patrol had to pass special training at the Police Academy before they could take to the slopes this snow season.

The pilot project was successful... From now on, ski Patrol will preserve safety on the ski tracks. They will ensure the safety of you and your children,” said Mgebrishvili.

The Ski Patrol wear special uniforms and carry tools to prevent accidents and protect the safety of locals and tourists. Photo by Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs. 

A degree by Georgia's Minister of Internal Affairs reads snowmobiles and other similar means of transport are forbidden to move on ski tracks inn Georgia's winter resorts, except in special circumstances such as rescues.

It is also forbidden to ski while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or psychotropic substances. 

Furthermore, being on the ski tracks and acting in a way that puts the health and the life of any person, including the offender, under serious threat or danger, is also prohibited from using the ski tracks.

These special box facilities, located in a public place at all winter resorts, will be used by Ski Patrol officers. Photo by Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs. 

If people disobey the rules, they will be punished with either a warning, fine or confiscation of skiing equipment for a day. 

For example, if a person clearly and intentionally puts his/her own, or somebody else's life or health at risk, they will receive a written warning and 20 GEL (about $7.11/€6.81*) fine, if the same action is repeated on the same day.

Furthermore, if a person is under the influence of alcohol, drugs or psychotropic substances, or avoids required alcohol or drug testing, they will receive a 100 GEL (about $35.53/€34.04*) fine and be forbidden to use the ski tracks for one day. If the same action is repeated any time within one year, the offender will receive a 200 GEL (about $71.05/€68.09*) fine.

*Currencies are equivalent with the latest National Bank of Georgia exchange rate.