Skiing is one of the most exciting winter sports out there. However, it’s always surrounded by the dangers of potential avalanches.
Luckily, with some precautions and understanding of the nature of snow, you can ski safely and avoid the risks of an avalanche. Keep on reading to find out more!
How to Use Route-Finding or Terrain Recognition to Avoid An Avalanche?
Route finding, also known as terrain recognition, is the technique of perceiving spatial relationships between elements of terrain so that you can navigate between them safely.
This technique is used by resorts to avoid or minimize the risk of avalanches. To do that, resorts deliberately trigger a small-scale, controlled avalanche when the slope is empty to analyze the snowpack.
What is Snowpack Analysis?
After the avalanche is triggered, researchers and staff members analyze the snowpack to find out about the density of the snow as well as the possibility of safe rescue.
This can be done either by digging out pits and studying each layer of the snowpack or immediately using radar technology.
Researchers may also perform ski checking on test slopes where they deliberately ski along the weak points that can trigger an avalanche in a real event, called fracture lines.
As you can see, terrain recognition and studying routes of an avalanche on small scale make it possible to avoid getting in the route of an avalanche by off-limiting some triggering areas and checking the terrain for signs of risk.
Tips to Identify Avalanche Risk While Skiing
While snowpack analysis and route finding may help you avoid an avalanche, there are also other signs that recreational skiers use to assess the risk of avalanches.
As you travel in the backcountry, you should look for any clues that can be translated into an avalanche warning.
Of course, some of these clues are more obvious than others. However, good practice and experience will improve your observational skills on that matter.
If you spot any one of the following signs, it’s probably better that you avoid skiing on that day. Let’s check them out:
1. The Angle of a Steep Slope
Always keep the steepness of the slope you’re on in mind and compare them to slopes above you.
For example, if you’re on a slope that is 25 degrees while the one above is steeper than 25, you’re in risk of triggering an avalanche.
2. Crystals Form on Top of Snow
If you find shiny crystals form on top of the snow, you should probably avoid skiing on that slope. These crystals are called “hoarfrost”, which is a relatively loose type of snow that has a high tendency to slide in the form of an avalanche.
2. Dramatic Changes in Weather
Changes in the weather, whether higher or lower, are usually followed by a period of instability that can trigger loose snow terrain and cause an avalanche. That’s why many skiing resorts suspend skiing right during transitioning between seasons.
3. Nearby Avalanche Activity
The static charge on top of loose snow doesn’t only create the snowballing effect, but also chains of avalanches.
If the area has been struck recently with an avalanche, the slopes might not be stable enough and another avalanche might be triggered soon after.
Essential Equipment to Survive Avalanches While Skiing
To ensure your as well as others’ safety while skiing, there are some essential tools that you should have on you. Here’s a quick look at these items and what they do:
1. Avalanche Airbag
One of the most important items on the list is the avalanche airbag. This one is triggered in case of an avalanche.
The airbag inflates and increases the wearer’s volume, which helps them stay as high and close to the snow surface as possible as the snow starts to decent. This makes it much easier for rescuers to find and rescue them.
2. Multi-Channel Radio Communicator
Multi-channel radio communicators are excellent tools to enhance safety by making the avalanche victim capable of responding.
Using these radio communicators, victims can report their skiing location to help pinpoint their location under the snow. Moreover, they report their current status so that rescuers are equipped with proper medical intervention.
3. Personal Locator Beacon
Commonly known as “PLBs” or “Beacons”, which are transmitters and transceivers that emit or receive a signal that can be easily tracked back to the sender.
Along with GPS probes, they make the search and rescue process a whole lot easier and take a lot less time.
4. Snow Air-Helmet
Some ski helmets come with inflatable air pockets that won’t only stabilize the victim’s head as they’re thrown off by an avalanche, but will also protect them from head traumas that can render the victim unconscious and make it more difficult to spotted and rescued.
5. Portable Shovel
A portable ice shovel is small in size, yet highly effective in removing snow. Since time is of the essence while rescuing a victim, having this item on you makes the rescue process a lot easier and faster.
6. First Aid Kit
First aid kits are remarkably lightweight yet extremely critical for the safety of the victims and preventing further injury complications until they’re transferred to a medical facility.
How to Rescue an Avalanche Victim While Skiing
Here’s a quick guide with all the steps necessary to check on your skiing partners and rescue them
1. Check on your group members and find the missing ones
2. Switch Your beacon to rescue mode and perform a signal scan
3. Use a GPS locator to pinpoint the victim’s location
4. Start digging the victim out and helping them out of the snow
5. Perform a quick round-up or a check on the victim (ex. check for concussions or wounds)
6. Report the location and status of the victim for professional rescue and medical intervention
7. Administer first aid if necessary while professional help is on its way
Wrap Up
With that said, you now know how to ski safely and avoid the danger of avalanches. Just like any other winter sport, skiing is neither completely safe nor completely dangerous.
However, by using safety equipment and looking out for warning signs of avalanches, you’ll be able to minimize the risk of avalanches as much as possible.