Ski season usually starts in November and ends in April, so now it’s the best time of year to enjoy skiing.
Every winter, thousands of newbies and professional skiers go to mountains, ski centers, and resorts, to enjoy themselves and improve their skiing skills.
Skiing is definitely a very healthy and interesting hobby, but it can also be dangerous. We prepared some very important and useful advices for you!
How to ski safely?
Photocredit: 2011 AFP/Philippe Desmazes
- Before you go skiing, check the danger rating definitions about avalanches. There are 5 danger levels, from 1 to 5, where 1 is ranked as “Low” and 5 as “Extreme”
- Check the weather reports for the ski area you’ve chosen to visit. Do it in the evening before you go and in the morning as well.
- Visit ski resorts with people who have a similar safe approach to skiing.
- Don’t forget… if there’s an avalanche and people are buried under the snow, after 15 minutes the possibility of staying alive quickly diminishes and the risk of death increases rapidly. During maximum 15 minutes you and your friends should help each other to get out from under the snow. That’s why you must have all the necessary equipment with you: transceiver, probe and shovel.
A transceiver is a detection device which emits a signal and helps to find people buried under the snow. A probe is the next step in searching and rescuing people, followed by a shovel. This compact rescue equipment is always made from lightweight materials and it’s easily (dis)assembled for carrying or use.
It will be cheaper for you if you buy a transceiver set similar to the one on a picture – containing an avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe.
- Check if all your safety equipment works properly, in case if you’re confronted with an extreme situation. Even when you know how to use it, practice and refresh your memory, by having a 2-3 hours training session every ski season.
- Save phone numbers of rescuers in your phone or better, learn them by rote.
- Use guide books and maps to plan your skiing routes, avoiding being lost or harmed.
- Most avalanches happen on inclines of 30° or more, so try to learn how to recognize them.
- Don’t hesitate to ask locals and ski resort workers about insider tips for that ski area.
10. Be reasonable and responsible. Remember that we live only once…There are so many places to visit and so many things to do, stay safe and don’t risk your life!
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