Even if snow is late to arrive on the summits this year, the avalanche risk is always present in the mountains and we must remain aware of it. Every year skiers are swept away, and while it is difficult to protect yourself 100% against natural disasters of this kind, there are a few key principles to know, safety rules to follow, and modern tools that can significantly improve your chances. This article aims to give you a starting point for reflection. It is not exhaustive, of course, and is no substitute for advice from mountain professionals.
Photo by Nicolas Cool on Unsplash
Avalanche: information first!
Before heading out, skiers and snowboarders should check weather forecasts and avalanche risk bulletins on Météo France at the
avalanche bulletin page. There, click on your chosen department and then the detailed geographical area to access the avalanche bulletin. For greater certainty, consult local professionals: mountain guides, the resort office, gendarmerie notices, and so on.
In avalanche bulletins, risk levels are rated from 1 (low) to 5 (very high), but it is advisable not to rely on the number alone — read the bulletin in full, as it may contain valuable information. At risk level 5, there is no need to deliberate: cancel your outing, full stop.
There is a
downloadable guide on the Météo France website, which explains how to find and read avalanche-related weather bulletins. This information is worth reading at least once a season!
Information also comes — very often — through informal channels: at the resort, keep your ears open and pay attention to what people are saying. You will often hear locals talking about small avalanche releases the day before at such-and-such a spot. These are warning signals that should put you on alert!
Never go out alone
Before heading out on an adventure, it is far better to form a small group of skiers — and above all, never go alone. Make sure to build a homogeneous group of similar technical and physical ability where possible, or at least clearly identify those with gaps in technical skill or experience.
Plan your route in advance
If you are going off-piste or ski touring, your chosen route must be planned before you set off, taking current weather conditions into account. The route should not be too long, to ensure you are not back too late. In any case, leave the details with someone staying at the resort. At some resorts, you can also leave your route at the guides' office.
Adapt and adjust
If the unexpected happens — such as heavy snowfall or rain — do not hesitate to turn back. During an off-piste excursion, several factors need to be monitored, including snow consistency and the fatigue levels of the group. Never feel embarrassed about doing a little less. And watch out for the last days of a trip, when you want to squeeze in as much as possible because "we're back at the office in two days!"
Do a regular headcount
You should also do a regular headcount and keep an eye on one another. Avoid skiing too compact and leave gaps between skiers. Form pairs or trios where group size allows. And always stay "in sight" within these subgroups.
Choose your stopping points carefully
It is advisable to identify safe zones where the group can wait or take shelter in the event of an avalanche. Do not stop in the downhill path of the group — instead, prioritise safety zones to the sides, sheltered from potential rockfalls.
Trust your instincts
If in doubt (by sound or sight), it is advisable to remove your pole straps and the safety leashes from your ski or snowboarding bindings. If the situation seems dangerous, it is better not to continue and to return to the resort — especially if you notice small amounts of snow releasing under your skis.
Facing an avalanche
When an avalanche is triggered, it is advisable to escape sideways rather than skiing straight down the slope. To avoid being buried, professionals recommend removing ski and snowboarding safety leashes and bindings straps and ditching them. If you have time, it is also better to shed any heavy items such as your backpack.
Once swept up by the snow, to try to stay on the surface, lie flat on the consolidated snow and attempt to "swim" with large movements through the unconsolidated snow (do not curl up in a compact position — try to spread out as much as possible), keep your mouth firmly shut to avoid swallowing snow, and protect your face with your hands, arms or your jacket collar. All of this while trying to keep a cool head.
Equip yourself to limit the consequences of an avalanche
Arva (or AVD)
An essential piece of kit for any off-piste skier or mountaineer. The avalanche victim detector (AVD) is a transceiver worn under your clothing that, in transmit mode, enables you to be found under an avalanche, and in receive mode, helps you locate a victim. Whether analogue or digital, all AVDs transmit at a frequency of 457 kHz. And of course, an AVD should never be taken out without a shovel and a probe. Always test your AVD before setting off and remember to switch it to "transmit" mode.
Recco
Unlike the ARVA, the Recco is a passive system. The skier carries small reflective plates that incorporate a copper antenna and a diode — no batteries required. To locate the plates, and therefore the victim, rescue teams use a Recco detector that emits a frequency which the reflector bounces back at double the original frequency. While the Arva is used by members of your group, the Recco is a system used by rescue teams. It is complementary to the AVD and does not replace it, but it increases your chances of being found. The great advantage of the Recco is that it can be found built directly into ski clothing! When shopping, do not hesitate to check for its presence and choose your garments accordingly. The major benefit is that it is a passive system — no battery, no switching on, and impossible to forget if it is built into your ski clothing!
Avalung
The principle of the Avalung is to enable a living victim buried under snow — even compacted snow — to breathe. The Avalung is a harness worn over clothing, into which a mouthpiece and a filter are integrated: these allow the wearer to breathe the air contained in the surrounding snow, while a one-way valve system expels exhaled air behind the victim.
Avalanche Ball
A large red balloon is attached to the buried person by a long cord. Spot the balloon on the snow, follow the cord, find the victim. Nothing simpler! The balloon is not meant to be skied with trailing behind you, so it is folded, packed and attached to the top of the backpack. A handle on one of the shoulder straps — which you pull when you see an avalanche starting — triggers the springs that give the balloon its shape.
Flash Avalanche
Much the same principle as the Avalanche Ball, but without the balloon: the Flash Avalanche involves unrolling a cord several metres long from the starting point of the avalanche, allowing rescuers to quickly trace their way back to the victim. The system is worn on the wrist like a kind of splint and is activated by pulling on a tab. Four fluorescent red ribbons, each 10 metres long and all connected to the victim, are then unrolled and remain on the surface of the avalanche thanks to their lightness.
ABS Airbag pack
If you stay on the surface of an avalanche, you stand a good chance of survival. For this, ABS Airbag packs are now available: two large cushions, folded inside a special backpack, which the skier — caught in an avalanche — inflates using the nitrogen cartridges stored in the pack. As with all such systems, there is just one handle to pull. These packs have proven their worth and are used by a growing number of riders and rescue teams.
If you are in a small group, the ideal approach is to combine these kinds of technical solutions, but everyone should have at least one, along with an AVD and Recco beacons integrated into their clothing. There is no perfect solution, of course, and some depend on your reflexes and vigilance — but heading out without anything is virtually guaranteeing you no chance of survival, so think about it when you prepare. Finally, as mentioned above, the primary prevention factor is skiing off-piste in good conditions and avoiding risky ones. It is always frustrating to stay behind or cancel an outing, but it is far better than forever mourning lost companions. The mountains are beautiful and offer a fantastic playground: you must respect them and stay humble if you want to enjoy them for a long time to come!
