The ski season started with a historic amount of snowfall in the Alps. However, after weeks of severe storms, above-seasonal temperatures and increased rainfall have increased avalanche warnings and triggered landslide and flood warnings across Europe.
The change in weather conditions led the Swiss Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology to raise the avalanche risk level in southern ski resorts by four-fifths to “high” on 12 December.
The high-altitude resort of Tignes in France increased its avalanche warning to three-fifths, or “significant” level, following reports that ski tourists were caught in the slides. No injuries occurred.
Experts warn: “We remind you that Level 3 already defines a critical situation, and above this level of danger it is better to avoid skiing on unsafe terrain or off-piste without professional supervision, unless you have the necessary experience.”
Use our report to check the latest snow forecasts. Here are Henry Schniewind’s top tips from Henry’s Avalanche Talks (HAT) on how to survive dangerous snow conditions and stay safe in the mountains:
How to prepare for an avalanche
1. Learn what danger ratings mean
Become familiar with the five international avalanche hazard levels: 1 is low avalanche risk, 2 is moderate, 3 is significant, 4 is high and 5 is extreme avalanche risk.
2. Check the forecast
Read the official avalanche forecast bulletin for your area the evening before you head out; This will tell you the altitude and slope directions where the risk is greatest. It will be available in the resort.
3. Be with like-minded drivers
Travel with people who have a similar approach to having fun and staying safe off the piste. Keep your group size between three and five people; If it’s just the two of you and one gets caught, the other will be left alone and needing to both rescue you and bring help. If there are more than five of you, the group may fragment and security risks may increase.
4. Carry all the equipment you need with you
If you’re hitting the ski slopes in the winter, carry all the gear you need (avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel) to get your friends out of the snow in 15 minutes or less. After 15 minutes under the snow, the chance of survival drops rapidly.
5. Get trained with safety equipment
Have a two- or three-hour practical session on how to use your safety equipment and refresh yourself every year. Know how your equipment works and make sure others do the same; You trust them to save you.
6. Save important phone numbers
Your phone should have all phone numbers of local rescue services.
7. Plan your routes
Have a good idea of the area and routes you’ll be skiing (using maps, guidebooks and personal experience) or hike so you don’t get stuck on the edge of a cliff. Watch out for red flags as you proceed; It’s easy to let passion and enthusiasm blind you to risk.
8. Learn slope angles
Learn how to identify slopes of 30 degrees or more; This is where the majority of avalanches occur.
9. Talk to local professionals
People like ski patrol (piste patrol) and mountain guides are a good source of insider information about the area.
How to prevent triggering an avalanche
1. Go to places where there is a possibility of danger, one by one
Avalanches are triggered when the weight of the snowpack causes the slab to break. One person puts much less pressure on the slope than two or three people. When you stop to wait for the rest of your group, make sure it’s somewhere safe (find a “safe island”) so if it triggers an avalanche, you won’t get caught in it.
2. Keep your pieces close together
If the person in front of you hasn’t triggered the slide and you follow very close to the same line, you’ll probably be safe too.
3. Look for signs of recent avalanche activity
Sheet avalanches are responsible for most accidents, and even small ones can be fatal. If you see recent releases, note which slope directions and altitudes are most prone to them and avoid them.
4. Pay attention to convexities
Where the slope goes from flat to steep there is often a weakness in the snowpack that can be triggered by the skier.
5. Avoid wind-laden slopes
Slopes with extra snow covered by prevailing winds can have great freeride conditions, but the extra snow load makes them susceptible to a skier’s extra weight.
6. Pay attention to what’s underneath you
If there is a cliff or a narrow bowl below, then the consequences of the slide will be much more serious than in the case where there is a small slope with a smooth ascent. And make sure you never cause an avalanche on those below you.
What should you do if you are caught in an avalanche?
-
If you are wearing an ABS backpack, pull the trigger and deploy the airbag. I hope this keeps you on the surface.
-
Try to ski or flip out of the slide path as quickly as possible.
-
If possible, get rid of your skis and poles (never wear ankle loops in a potential avalanche area).
-
There is a feeling like being inside a high speed washing machine. Swim furiously towards the surface and try to stick your head above the snow. Make your greatest effort as the avalanche slows down.
-
Try to keep your nose and mouth away from the snow, and use your arms to create space around your face before the snow stops completely. Avalanche debris has a mass similar to concrete hardening and further movement becomes impossible.
-
If you are completely buried but wearing a radio transceiver, your chance of survival is 34 percent. After 15 minutes this begins to drop dramatically. If you are not completely buried, your chance of survival is over 90 percent.