…. but they need to be treated with care, all the same Over the last few years we’ve been emphasizing that over 9 out of 10 off-piste accidents occur due to victims triggering the avalanche themselves. This usually happens because they weren’t applying basic accident prevention risk reduction measures at the time of the accident. We talk about ‘recent avalanche activity’ as a clue of instability. By this, we are referring to recent cold dry slab avalanc... Read More
This is the title of a blog posted by Bruce Tremper in 2009. I am planning to examine this question in more detail this week by attending the International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW) in Innsbruck. I hope to be posting more about this whilst I am there. Here is a link to Bruce Tremper's blog where he raises some powerful questions. https://utahavalanchecenter.org/blog/15826 In the introduction, he observes Our lives revolve around risk but it’s a concept most of us don’t understand well. The human brain is good at many things such as pattern recognition and the nuances of social interaction but our brain is notoriously poor at statistics and probability. People who are afraid to fly don’t mind driving although, on average, you would have to fly every day for 4,000 years for you to be killed on a commercial aviation flight whereas automobile fatalities are so common you hardly see them mentioned in the newspaper anymore (32,000 per year in the U.S.) We’re afraid to let our kids ride the bus to school yet there are only 3 deaths per year on school buses and 600 per year from parents driving their kids to school. So what is the risk of recreating in avalanche terrain compared to other activities? He concludes Skiing and riding in avalanche terrain are surprisingly safe as long as it’s done using all the risk reduction measures taught in avalanche classes. It's about the same risk as driving one hour to the trailhead. But randomly riding in 10 potential avalanche paths per day without any risk reduction measures at Considerable or High Danger can be one of the most dangerous sports in the world. Someone who randomly (i.e. without taking risk reduction measures) rides the centre line of 10 slopes per day in terrain rated as Moderate Danger (2 on a scale of 5) is roughly the same risk as whitewater kayaking or skydiving. but still much less dangerous than riding a motorcycle Randomly riding the centre line of 10 slopes per day in terrain rated as Considerable Danger (3 on a scale of 5) has roughly the same risk as base jumping, which is considered to be one of the world’s most dangerous sports and one with a notoriously short expected lifespan for regular participants. Doing the same in terrain rated as High Danger (4 on a scale of 5) is one of the most dangerous activities in the world besides climbing above 8,000 meters. The Ortovox Off Piste Awareness Tour Henry will be discussing these questions with new and updated material during the talks around the UK this Autumn Click here for more info
This is the title of a blog posted by Bruce Tremper in 2009. I am planning to examine this question in more detail this week by attending the International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW) in Innsbruck. I hope to be posting more about this whilst I am there. Here is a link to Bruce Tremper’s blog where he raises some powerful questions. https://utahavalanchecenter.org/blog/15826 In the introduction, he observes Our lives revolve around risk but it’s a concept most of us don’t understand well. The [...
Our HAT off-piste article is a short introduction to how to stay safe and have more fun off piste. We have noticed that when people discover the off-piste they love their skiing even more. But for many skiers the off-piste can seem like a scary and inaccessible place The article demystifies the knowledge held by off-piste guides and instructors. It is no substitute for real experience and training by professionals. But it is a great place to start your voyage of discovery. Armed with this knowledge you will be intelligently inquisitive about avalanche danger. You will begin to know what you don’t know and what you need to learn. Just like our introduction talk, the article is divided into 4 sections Introduction to off-piste and avalanches Where you go and when How you go down or up Being well prepared
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You don't have to come to our events in order to see Henry's Avalanche Talks. We have created a series of online presentations that allow you to learn how you can stay safe and have more fun off piste. Start with the Essentials talk A series of 4 talks. Watch Part 1 here for free Click here to see the rest. £20 for 6 months unlimited access. Then move on to the In-depth modules How and why avalanches trigger - helping you to identify the implications for your decision-making Where you go and when - where to find the best snow and still stay safe How you go down or up -route selection make sure you and your group are safe, choose the best line The Human Factor - why is this the biggest cause of accidents. How we often fail to apply what we know Click here to see all 4 modules Also get some avalanche transceiver training This video offers 20 minutes practical training on how to use your avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe to recover an avalanche victim in under 15 minutes Click here to purchase
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This is the title of a blog posted by Bruce Tremper in 2009. I am planning to examine this question in more detail this week by attending the International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW) in Innsbruck. I hope to be posting more about this whilst I am there. Here is a link to Bruce Tremper’s blog where he raises some powerful questions. https://utahavalanchecenter.org/blog/15826 In the introduction, he observes Our lives revolve around risk but it’s a concept most of us ... Read More
Henry Schniewind will be visiting the UK from 23rd October to 26th November for a series of events that we call The ORTOVOX Off-piste Awareness tour. Henry will be visiting Covent Garden, Tamworth, Bristol, Manchester, St Pauls, Kendal, Fort William and The Hurlingham club in Fulham. In addition, the HAT team will deliver off-piste awareness talks in Chester, Chelmsford and Glasgow and transceiver training in Wimbledon, Bristol, Sandbanks and Manchester. Click on this link ... Read More
Great spring snow conditions! HAT off piste snow and weather report 19-25 April for Savoie and northern French Alps It looks like we’re going to have classic spring snow conditions for at least the next few days! This is one of our favourite times of the year for skiing! There’s some lovely soft, smooth snow around if you choose your timings and slope exposures right. Another great thing at this time of year is that when regular melt-freeze cycles come into place... Read More
Unsettled, particularly near the French/Italian border! Off-piste snow report: 12 – 18 April for Savoie & N French Alps Still waiting for Spring conditions to properly arrive! Normally at this time of year we’re enjoying regular melt-freeze cycles, which bring nice smooth ‘spring snow’ skiing. This year, however, we’re still in transition between cold dry winter snow, and humid to wet spring snow*. When we eventually receive these repeated cy... Read More
The start of the season is a very unstable time. The snowpack has not settled and not been skied. Here is an example in Colorado where the resorts are opening already.
www.tetongravity.com/story/news/its-snowing-in-colorado-and-there-are-already-avalanches
RT @Ski_Press:RT @HAToffpiste: Glide Cracks Mean Snowpack Stability…. https://t.co/FPljA804DO https://t.co/TzN993NaLF
RT @ellis_brigham:@Ortovox Off-Piste Awareness Tour provides training for skiers who want to go off piste, but are held back by fear… https://t.co/M8i0Fvxm6B
Our @Ortovox Off-Piste Awareness tour of avalanche talks and transceiver training starts in just 2 days - Wed 24th!… https://t.co/CeykVnynHm
My @Hatoffpiste three day course got a mention in @times today. Programme details here https://t.co/tAWeYa7uL1 https://t.co/WnNFld9B1M
RT @benclatworthy:Pro on the snow? The best trips for expert skiers, including the @HAToffpiste's new three-day avalanche training ca… https://t.co/jJf0hvLsih
