Petz said European skiers are expected to take on more responsibility and, as a result, the slopes remain relatively safe. Still, the slopes can be more treacherous than in the States. Petz notes that the slopes in Europe are not as severely groomed to tame freshly fallen snow. He said grooming machines, essentially large vehicles that can move on snow up and down sharp inclines, make just a pass or two in Europe, leaving plenty of bumps and gullies. By comparison, most American slopes are shaped until they're nearly smooth, he said.
Ski lifts present a similar contrast.