The number of people dying in avalanches tragically does not seem to be slowing. Since the weekend, at least nine people have died in avalanches in Europe.
In Brescia, in the Lombardei, four people have been killed. In Buendnerland (Switzerland), a 12 year old boy was killed. As already reported, two people were killed in Italy (Livigno). In Zermatt , yesterday, a 59 year old was also swept away and, on Sunday, a snowboarder from Munich was killed in the Austrian Tirol nearby Seefeld....
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
These remain relatively low numbers in proportion to the numbers enjoying the slopes. It remains a very low risk if one takes sensible precautions to avoid known avalanche slopes and check local warning levels. Remember that 31 died in the Galtur disaster in 1999.
From what I recollect (the numbers could be verified) hundreds died in avalanches in the Alps in January 1951. Enormous storms.
Remember that 31 died in the Galtur disaster in 1999.
That was not caused by skiers, snowboarders,snowmobiles. A hill rising out of the village just released and came down into the town. In the summer it could of been a rock or mudslide. i.e a Natural disaster not triggered by man
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
You're saying that the avalanches above were caused by the victims, or skiers/boarders above them? Do we know that?
As for Galtur, it was actually an exceptionally powerful avalanche, since the snow travelled a freak distance. Rocks or mud wouldn't have touched the village.
My impression is that it's remarkable that so few people have died after quite heavy snowfalls this month. The authorities have done a pretty good job in keeping the ski areas safe.
The 12 year old boy in Graubünden died in an avalanche set off by his parents, according to 20 Minuten on Monday
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
David Goldsmith wrote:
You're saying that the avalanches above were caused by the victims, or skiers/boarders above them? Do we know that?
As for Galtur, it was actually an exceptionally powerful avalanche, since the snow travelled a freak distance. Rocks or mud wouldn't have touched the village.
My impression is that it's remarkable that so few people have died after quite heavy snowfalls this month. The authorities have done a pretty good job in keeping the ski areas safe.
IT is likely that they were human triggered.
I know all about the Galtur avalanche. I lived in the town for nearly a whole season back in 1985 and I posted a very good dossier link about the avalanche here
Is beginner piste skiing generally regarded as safe, or does it still pay to check these warnings when you're in resort?
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Megamum wrote:
Is beginner piste skiing generally regarded as safe, or does it still pay to check these warnings when you're in resort?
Safe, dont worry about Piste skiing in resorts.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Megamum, it's very safe compared with off-piste skiing. the patrollers go to great lengths to make sure that pistes are not threatened by avalanches. if they are threatened, they will close the piste. all the more reason to pay attention to piste closures in these circumstances
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Megamum, As safe as you are going to get in an alpine environment. The danger will come from the terrain above, not the beginners piste itself, but that should be avalanche controlled. But not everything can be prevented. The Cable Car Station in Wengen got taken out a few years back, and that was at the edge of the town.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
I'm not an expert by far, but the impression I get in Europe is that if a piste isn't safe, they'll close it. And beginner pistes are probably too gentle a slope for an avalanche to actually be triggered on them (not including avalanches triggered on steeper ground above the piste).
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
X post from TGR
But one that hit home to me given that I'd been skiing there over New Year.
Facts appear to be a guy triggered slide & died himself, massive slide those hiking in below also buried.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
The Whitefish avalanche is absolutely terrifying. I was there a couple of weeks ago. It's snowpack conditions are similar to Fernie, though ours may actually be worse. Stay safe ladies and gents.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Links from TGR forums, "A Dozen More Turns", an emotional but informative film covering an incident in the US backcountry which highlights how even v. experienced people can get caught out on un-avycontrolled terrain. Probably not one for the faint hearted!
(I leave for BC in 3 days and am trying to pre-scare myself into skiing sensibly!)
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
RobH wrote:
Links from TGR forums, "A Dozen More Turns", an emotional but informative film covering an incident in the US backcountry which highlights how even v. experienced people can get caught out on un-avycontrolled terrain. Probably not one for the faint hearted!
Is beginner piste skiing generally regarded as safe, or does it still pay to check these warnings when you're in resort?
A couple of weeks ago I asked a similar question on the Forum - what is the ratio of off-piste casualties to on-piste. My guess was 100:1 but maybe its even higher? Dunno - nobody else ventured a guess.
Another one here this morning nearby Saalbach (Pinzgau) . A 44 German Snowboarder is fighting for his life in an Innsbruck clinic. He was snowboarding with a 31 Yr on Englishman !
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Poster: A snowHead
