Italy has decided to make avalanche safety gear (avalanche beacon, shovel and probe) mandatory for all winter sports enthusiasts heading out of marked and secured ski runs. The law will also apply to off piste skiers. The law covers to the Piemont region in the north of Italy and supersedes the national law (L. 24 December 2003, n.363) which obliged ski tourers to use avalanche beacons if there was a clear risk of avalanche (this probably means risk 3 or above). Fines are up to 250 euros. British skiers should take careful note of this law as they may find that their insurance is invalid if they ski off piste or tour in the Piemont without the appropriate gear required by Italian law.
