Christian mountain rescue team which helps drunk skiers on the slopes in the French Alps reveals which nation needs their help most
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The winter ski season is in full swing - and one Christian volunteer group has made it their mission to keep those who over-indulge on lunchtime drinks safe when they go back out onto the mountain worse for wear. While drinking alcohol is par for the course for many enjoying a holiday on the slopes, it poses serious health and safety risks if you're on skis or a snowboard.
![[TikTok user India Hogg shares a clip of her friend falling down a slope on their way back from après ski in Meribel]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/16/16/93615345-14238981-TikTok_user_India_Hogg_shares_a_clip_of_her_friend_falling_down_-a-25_1737043721136.jpg)
The Christian Ski Angels work in the French resort of Meribel throughout the ski season to help drunken skiers down the pistes in one piece. Founded five years ago by Lara and Will Sussman, who run the Christian charity Altitude Mission, the team, which calls themselves a 'welfare service on skis', intervenes when medics take too long to arrive.
![[A TikTok user who goes by @la2uramatamala shared a clip of one person on another's back as they attempted to get home from après ski]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/16/16/93615343-14238981-A_TikTok_user_who_goes_by_la2uramatamala_shared_a_clip_of_one_pe-a-26_1737043721136.jpg)
'People feel very familiar with the mountain after a few days of skiing, but conditions can change very quickly and people go from partying to panicking,' Lara told The Telegraph. She says she is simply acting as the Son of God might: 'Jesus would be there in the freezing cold at 2am, helping someone get home in the pitch black after 20 toffee vodkas. We want to do the same.'.
![[Sam Milchem (L) and Zac Missen (R) said he's had experiences where drunk skiers don't remember meeting the Angels]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/16/17/93714267-14238981-Sam_Milchem_said_he_s_had_experiences_where_drunk_skiers_don_t_r-m-36_1737047033159.jpg)
Direct Line Travel Insurance estimates that some 400,000 skiers and snowboarders on the slopes might be under the influence in resorts each season, causing some 10,000 injuries - both minor and major. To avert tragedies, the group of 18 'Ski Angels' volunteers work through the season to help hurt or panicking people - preventing an estimated three to four deaths annually.
![[The Angels are pictured assisting two skiers during a dark evening at France's Meribel]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/16/17/93713861-14238981-The_Angels_are_pictured_assisting_two_skiers_during_a_dark_eveni-m-38_1737047068204.jpg)
