 Poster: A snowHead
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I thought anyone who wants to ski off-piste might like me to share some of this information from a well known avalanche training company who sent this email newletter - lots of words of wisdom in there
Getting more from mountain
Getting more from the piste – we think this means having fun, being safe, learning
new things and discovering new places. The reason off-piste skiing is so rewarding is
there is always a lot to learn. We are sure you will enjoy this voyage of discovery.
It is all about learning, having fun and being safe.
It goes even further and helps you find the best snow and gets you out on the
mountain. But our mission is to help all people to have fun and be safe.
This paper concentrates on being safe.
The big questions
There are a number of questions that we all think about when going off-piste. Here
are a few people often ask us:
Is it safe to go off-piste just on the side of the piste? Is it safe to go off-piste today?
Where is the best snow today? Surely it is OK to follow those tracks?
Invariably the answer is – it depends. You may well then say, it depends on what?
We will try to give you a glimpse of what to consider.
This paper cannot suddenly turn anyone into an expert who is safe to go off-piste. It is
a short introduction to the subject. But if you got this far you probably already know
something or you are keen to learn. Either way we can all benefit from continual
reminders about safe conduct and how to enjoy the off-piste. So this is here to help.
Top 3 safety tips
Never go alone. If anything happens, there is a good chance no-one will discover
you. It is not like the pistes. Pistes are busy with people and even when they are
quiet, they are patrolled. So if you have an accident, you will be found and can be
rescued. In the off-piste, there is no patrol and you might be the only person there.
So this is one of the few absolutes in off-piste skiing: never means never.
Know what you don’t know, consider taking a guide. When you think you don’t know
if it is safe, you don’t go or hire a guide. As you learn more, you can make
judgements about where to go, where the best snow is and the capabilities of your
group. But just because you have learned a bit this is not a carte blanche to go offpiste.
Some mountain professionals worry about sharing their advice on the basis that
a little knowledge can be dangerous. We agree this is a worry, but we do not think
that this means we should not share the knowledge. But when you don’t know, you
don’t go or hire a guide.
When you learn more you will know what you don’t know, then your confidence will
increase and you can enjoy more about off-piste
Have the right kit and know how to use it (probe pole, shovel, transceiver, plus
supplies). Being prepared, means that in the event of an accident you increase your
chances of survival several times over. Clearly though, just carrying the kit is not
enough. You need to have some training in how to use it. All major resorts in the
French Tarentaise, operate beeper training sessions.
Risk Management – 9 tips
Ask the pisteurs or piste patrol for advice. We know that sometimes they can look a
bit scary and like “the authorities”. But their primary job is to make the mountain safe
and they will give you clear advice about where to go and where not to go.
Naturally, they will be cautious and warn you that off-piste always carries risks. They
will never give an unlimited guarantee it is safe. But if they say it is dangerous and
you should not go, they will be right about the dangers. They will also explain why a
run is closed and why you should avoid it.
Consulting with the piste patrol is something the experts do as well. You will find top
guides like Henry often consult with the pisteurs and take account of their advice.
Think twice about skiing steeper slopes after heavy snow. Stay clear of large
deposits of snow or overhangs or any areas where there are steeper slopes above
you. The significance of this advice varies according to the avalanche risk as
advertised by the safety authorities. But interpreting the level of danger is not
straightforward, many accidents happen on low avalanche risk days as people get
more confident and less careful.
Look at where the wind blew the snow. The evidence lies in wind stripped slopes in
contrast to wind loaded slopes. Cornices will provide clues about this. Unfortunately,
the wind loaded slope not only offers the nicest snow, but also carries very high risks.
Usually it is wise to avoid them by sticking to the ridges and the wind blown areas.
You can only go on wind loaded areas if you have local and current advice about
snow stability and can interpret the risks inherent in the slope angle.
Ski the slope one at a time. When you think about it, this is common sense. One
person weighs less than two or three. So by going one at a time you reduce the risk
of triggering a slide. This also means you can look out for each other.
Look for islands of safety - do not linger anywhere that looks exposed, find places for
the group to congregate where you will not risk setting off a slab avalanche or be
standing underneath a potential slide.
These islands usually exist below rocky outcrops or on small ridges. But you need experience and guidance
from experts to learn how to spot them. This picture shows skiers waiting on an island of safety and the
group proceeding one at a time.
Do not ski slopes that are directly above holes, cliffs, gullies or lakes; if an avalanche
is triggered you are greatly increasing your chances of being killed or seriously hurt.
Do not ski directly above other skiers. This is simply bad etiquette as you risk triggering
an avalanche on top of them; wait until they are out of sight.
Do not assume that skiing in trees will give you safety; this is not always the case.
Check weather forecast and understand the avalanche risk assessment for that day,
look out for avalanche flags, talk to the piste patrol.
Further information
Books
Off-piste – by Wayne Watson, Wayne is an Alpine Experience guide who has written this attractive, informal and easy to understand guide
to going off-piste.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Off-Piste-Wayne-Watson/dp/1903994020/sr=8-1/qid=1161708563/ref=sr_1_1/202-8312432-?tag=amz07b-21
2195807?ie=UTF8&s=books
Val d’Isere Tignes Hors Piste. A small pocket guide to all the well known off piste routes in the area. There are descriptions
accompanied by photos marked with the routes.
http://www.snowandrock.com/shop/department/books_and_films/ski_books/products/COR0002.htm
Les Cles du Paradiski A large coffee table style book covering all the routes from the
Sache to les Arcs to La Plagne and as far as Mont Joly and Notre Dame du Pre. The
photography is glorious and you will spend many happy ours in the evening studying
routes. We have not yet found a UK source for this.
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