Photo By Keoki

I have been online this morning poking through a couple different articles about the latest ski/resort news across the country.  An article pertaining to avalanches really caught my attention so I thought I’d highlight the key points.

As our skis get fatter, we are able to go anywhere on the mountain.  We also must use more precaution and maybe change our perspective about inbound skiing.  There is a preconceived notion a lot of times that if you are skiing in bounds you are safe.  This is false.  This year alone, there have been 3 fatalities resulting from inbound avalanches at Western resorts. 

Also, we cannot assume that ski tracks mean safe terrain.  On Dec. 14th, an avalanche at Snowbird killed a 27-year-old skier.  The Utah Avalanche Center estimated that 300 people had skied the same slope hours before. 

What can we do as skiers to protect ourselves in bounds?  We all need to be consciously reminding ourselves about the danger and consequences when skiing on avalanche terrain over a 30 degree pitch.  Ski with buddies, and come up with a plan together.  Keep your buddies in sight when skiing on steep terrain. 

Another good idea might be to drop in on a free avalanche awareness class.  Growing up, my family went on many ski vacations.  Since we did not live in the snow, I had never learned about avalanche safety.  Me being a kid, I kind of put them in the category “things that will never happen to me”.  I look back at all the times my dad and I went exploring and ended up in some random valley or steep terrain.  We never thought about the potential danger of avalanches, we just skied.  It wasn’t until I moved to Tahoe, and started really learning about skiing, that I realized the significance of getting myself educated on avalanche safety. 

Experts are calling this year an “atypical” year.  Fatalities from inbound avalanches climbed this past week, and have outpaced previous statistics for December.  According to OnTheSnow.com, “There have been seven inbound fatalities since the 2004-05 season.  Before that season,  only two were cited since the early 1970’s.” 

So if you are like me, maybe take some time to learn about the conditions that cause avalanches, safety equipment, and what to do in the event of an avalanche.  I know many of you that live here, or frequent the mountains know this information.  It might be a good time to brush up, especially as our climate is less-predictable and our skis are changing.

If you are local to Tahoe, Squaw Valley Fire Department offers a free, weekly, avalanche transceiver workshop on Fridays.

Molly

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