Keep Safe Off Piste
In normal circumstances you should be able to feel safe in villages and if you stick to marked and open piste in Europe and open areas within the ski boundary in North America. But as soon as you venture out of these avalanche controlled areas the risks escalate. Getting statistics on avalanche accidents is very difficult not least because ski officials try to suppress information and publicity surrounding avalanches.
But there are statistics for avalanche deaths each year and these have been pretty steady at around 100- 120 people in alpine countries. The vast majority of these are holiday skiers or riders who have gone ‘off piste’. Off piste skiing and riding is on the increase and understandably so: getting away from the crowds among high mountain scenery and making first tracks in powder snow are magical experiences. It can never be completely safe – but your chances of survival are greatly increased if you are properly guided and equipped. Never venture off-piste even if its just slightly off-piste if you are alone. If you have an accident know one will know about it or more importantly where it happened!
One very simple precaution that everyone can take at low cost is to have Recco reflectors fitted to your boots or clothing. Indeed the Swiss Alpine Club and others have recommended that all skiers are equipped with these. These reflectors do not require and batteries or maintenance and they work with the Recco Rescue system that is found on the staff of most popular resorts.