Trail Service
Trail Rescue – Rapid Assistance in Cross-Country Skiing
The Seefeld region, with around 245 km of perfectly groomed cross-country skiing trails, is not only a paradise for cross-country skiing but also considered the center of Nordic skiing in the Alps. With the installation of a special "trail rescue" started as a pilot project in 2017, the Seefeld region continues to invest heavily in the topic of "safety." The foundation for this unique project in Austria was laid in the winter season 2013/14, and the first experiences were gathered.
The new – modern – method of trail maintenance is attributed to an initiative by the cross-country ski school "Cross Country Academy" in Seefeld. Based on the experience gained there, a professional trail maintenance concept was developed in 2017 under the direction of the TVB, which is now being fully implemented on all trails in the region.
The aim of this concept is to provide care for an injured cross-country skier under the following three aspects:
- the quickest possible arrival of helpers at the patient
- the highest possible quality of initial care on site using modern operational and rescue equipment
- the rapid and effective transport to the nearest doctor or, if necessary, to the nearest appropriate hospital
In order to fully comply with all principles, important partners such as the operations center of the state of Tyrol and ÖAMTC air rescue have been included in the organization of the rescue concept. Additionally, the mountain rescue stations Telfs, Leutasch, and Scharnitz, as well as the Seefeld rescue service, are involved in the system.
The cross-country rescuers are not only particularly familiar with the area, but also possess the necessary qualifications as first responders. To provide the highest quality initial care on site, the team has access to modern operational tools and a comprehensive medical equipment.
The cross-country rescue team is alerted directly via digital means through the Tyrol operations center and is also coordinated from there during operations. During official cross-country skiing hours, a quick response is possible due to a permanently available team. To ensure optimal coverage by an emergency doctor and to facilitate an even faster transport in medically indicated cases, there is additionally a special cooperation with ÖAMTC air rescue.
Thanks to the new concept, professional help for injured cross-country skiers is now available in an even shorter time using the latest assistance tools. The regional tourism association now ensures not only optimally prepared cross-country ski trails but also an ideal – modern – cross-country rescue service.
Ski trail signage as emergency call points
In collaboration with the Tirol Emergency Control Center, a special pilot project has been launched in the region. The position of each individual ski trail sign in the region was measured using a dedicated app, and the data was transmitted to the Tirol Emergency Control Center. Currently, over 2,000 points along the ski trails are recorded in the database. The notifier of an accident (Alpine Emergency Call 140) is asked by the dispatcher not only for the name of the ski trail but also about the presence of any signage nearby. This allows for a more precise determination of the accident site, and the exact position can be relayed to the emergency services. This is particularly a huge relief for the crew during emergency doctor missions with the helicopter, as the data is simultaneously transferred to a special mapping program in the cockpit. In the first winter of 2017/18 alone, over 80% of the ski trail emergencies were handled according to the new system.
Alpine Emergency Call:
T. 140 (without area code, also from mobile phones)
EU Emergency Call:
T. 112 (without area code, also from mobile phones)
Alpine emergency signal: Within one minute, give an acoustic signal (e.g.: calling or whistling) or an optical signal (waving a white cloth or blinking with a flashlight) six times at regular intervals - repeat continuously with a one-minute pause.