Ski Touring
& Risk Space

An initiation or refresher course in snow safety at the beginning of each season is therefore a wise reflex for all types of independent mountaineers. Off-piste freeriders, snowshoe hikers, winter alpinists and touring skiers – we all want to descend in one piece at the end of the day.

Courses in avalanche science and first aid come in many shapes and sizes. This winter I myself participated in a snow safety course in the mountains in the broadest sense of the word. We discussed theory in the morning and put our knowledge into practice throughout the afternoon. The main themes covered were first aid, avalanche science and general planning. We undertook numerous avalanche simulations with a variation of victims numbers and rescuers, we dug igloos to keep our ‘victims’ warm, fake bleeding was planted at the scene to simulate trauma, together we learnt and practiced resuscitation techniques on dolls and constructed splints for broken arms and legs.

Many people automatically think of snow safety as avalanches. However, there are plenty of other factors to consider before putting on your skins or buckling your boots at the top of the slope. These factors are also often human. ‘Heuristics’ is the collective term for human mental shortcuts that influence decisions. Of these, peer pressure is the most well-known, but also individual expectations, previous experiences and uncertainty or excessive enthusiasm. For example, people who only have a few days of skiing vacation often take risks that they would not take if they had more time. Also, familiar descents are often mistakenly considered safe and people stick to a predetermined plan despite indications that this would be better adjusted throughout the day.

When estimating avalanche danger, you are looking at numerous variables: gradient of the slope, recent snowfall, presence of trees, quality of the existing snow, wind direction… With this all in mind, avalanche danger can never be underestimated. This is why our first port of call is to always consult the local avalanche report in advance, in which local experts assign a score between 1 and 5 to estimate the probability of an avalanche. To put this scale to task, it’s worth remembering that most accidents happen in areas with a score of 2 and 3. And not 4 or 5, as many people would come to expect.

Avalanche reports contain a lot of information about how this score has been arrived at. Advanced students would do well to delve into the details. To learn how to work with a transceiver (or ‘beeper’ as it is often called in North America), a probe and snow shovel, bigger ski resorts also offer an ‘Avalanche Park’, where you can sharpen your skills and your teamwork as a group in complete safety.

For those that already have a first aid certification in their salopettes, it’s reaffirming to know that these foundational principles are also valid in the high mountains. But circumstances in this challenging environment can be much trickier. This is why simulating practical applications is of the greatest importance to ensure you are prepared to act quickly if and when things go wrong. First step is to save a life (bleeding, consciousness, breathing) simultaneously calling for support from rescue services as soon as is physically possible, ensuring that everyone within your ski touring group has the local emergency support number to hand at all times.

Don’t be too ambitious when you take your first steps off the beaten slopes. Plan manageable tours and know your own limits. Deep in to inhospitable terrain is not the place to test it out. In our digital age, we are blessed with numerous websites where you can find GPS files for detailed tours including hut-to-hut overnight refuge stops. Useful tools such as the Fatmap app allow you to project the slope gradient onto a 3D map, to get a better view of the terrain from home. The websites of course providers and reputable brands are a source of information too. A golden tip is the Snow Guide Book in the online Safety Academy on the Ortovox website.

Discuss your tour in advance with everyone in the group, don’t forget to talk about options to turn back, and plan moments throughout the day when the plan can change. Big dreams, small steps! Before you know it, you’ll be on your way from hut to hut on a multi-day winter tour.