Ski areas around the world are reported to be grappling with concern about the rapid growth in drone usage and the potential danger to safety, particularly in regard to collisions with ski lifts, snowmaking and skiers. Skier privacy is also being cited as a concern.
In the US the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has projected that more than a million mini quadcopters will be given as gifts this Christmas.
Most ski resorts are reported to be looking at bans on the use of drones by their customers if they do not already have them in place (as Aspen has announced) or are not located in a country where private helicopter flight is banned under normal conditions anyway, such as France.
The American Ski Resorts Association (NSAA) are also reported to have drawn up a standard legal document which ski areas can adopt if they wish to add a drone ban to their list of prohibitions.
However, some are also reported to be grappling with the popularity of drones and seeing whether some form of limited use might be possible, such as a hopefully safe “drone zone”, where visiting skiers and boarders can fly their drones.
There are also reported to be commercial drone filming companies in conversation with leading ski resorts with the suggestion that they set up an exclusive drone filming service for resort guests in partnership with the resort while the wider private use of drones is banned.