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Creation of a new three
hour 'anytime' lift pass for the Courchevel 1650 or Vallée de
Courchevel ski areas - learn
more
What about fitness levels
needed for skiing? We have the info and training advice needed to get
you into the best shape for the piste, now with warm up routines on video - read
more
Are there consequences
for the alpine environment as a result of snowsport activity? Can we
yet see any effects of climate change upon the ecostructure? - read
more
Opening in safety overnight
here's how and why - read on
Three Valleys packed with
legendery slopes and hidden treats for you to discover. Here's a sample
to get you started -
read more
Avalanche avoidance & safety
A useful daily updated avalanche risk guide for the Courchevel and 3
Vallees area is available at Henry's
Avalache Talk website. You can also catch Henry live with a report
about the day's off piste conditions on Radio Meribel (97.9 Mhz or 98.9
Mhz) 8am - 10am each morning.
Being caught in an avalanche is perhaps the greatest fear of all those who undertake off-piste skiing or boarding and ski-touring. The boom in the snow sports industry, high lift-stations, fat skis and snow boards have given access to the mountain to many who do not have the necessary experience to deal with the conditions and to recognise the warning signs. Snow conditions can vary from day to day, and even hour to hour as weather conditions alter the structure of the snow. Knowledge of the snow and understanding of the terrain are necessary for the best form of avalanche safety, that is avalanche avoidance. avalanche emergency survival
The risk of avalanches on the patrolled runs is minimal as ski resorts go to great lengths to protect their pistes - incidents do happen but are thankfully infrequent. However, avalanches and accidents can occur just off the pisted areas. The important point is to be prepared before you venture away from the pistes. An avalanche doesn't need to be of blockbuster movie proportions to be extremely hazardous to your, or others' life.
The following information is not to be accepted as a set of instructions, it is designed merely provide guidance for those who wish to go off piste, and facilitating informed decision-making. It is also worth noting that avalanches are not the only dangers of off-piste: natural obstacles such as crevasses, buried rocks or cliffs are also potential hazards. It is highly recommended that you take a mountain guide whilst venturing into unknown territory.
Some avalanche facts
- In 90% of avalanche incidents involving skiers and snow boarders, the victim or someone in the victim's party triggers the avalanche
- The common avalanches to occur are slab (which account for almost all avalanche fatalities. A cohesive plate of snow slides as a unit on top of weaker snow) or flow (powder) avalanches
- Experience indicates that about 90% of avalanche victims will be recovered alive if they are pulled out within the first 15 minutes. After approximately 45 minutes, the chances of survival drop dramatically to between 30-40%. After 2 hours, the chances of being pulled alive are negligable
- Approximately 50% of victims, partially buried survive if their airways are clear. Of the 50%, only about 5% will suffer from deadly injuries due to the fall. Of the other 50% of victims who die, death will usually be attributed to a late rescue as carbon dioxide builds up in the snow around their mouths and they suffocate
- The effects being caught in an avalanche potentially include having clothing, rucksacks, and other equipment ripped off the victim. Wearing a transceiver anywhere else but properly secured around your body can increase the chances of it being separated from you and therefore rendering it virtually useless.
Avalanche indicative risk or Hazard Rating numbers.
The avalanche risk off piste is classified from 1-5 and is intended
to give an overall indication only.
| Hazard Rating 1/5 - Low |
|
|
Stability: The snow pack is generally well bonded
and stable |
| Hazard Rating 2/5 - Moderate |
|
|
Stability: The snow pack is moderately well bonded on some[1]
steep[3] slopes, otherwise generally well bonded. |
| Hazard Rating 3/5 - Considerable |
|
|
Stability: The snow pack is moderately to weakly bonded on
many[1] steep[3] slopes. |
| Hazard Rating 4/5 - High |
|
|
Stability: The snow pack is weakly bonded in most[1] places. |
| Hazard Rating 5/5 - Very High |
|
|
|
Stability: The snow pack is generally weakly bonded and largely
unstable. |
Avalanche Terrain
Avalanches will most often start on slopes of 30-45 degrees. However, that does not mean that avalanches will not start on slopes as shallow as 25 degrees and as steep as 50 degrees.
Knowing the slope angle is "rule number one" in recognizing avalanche terrain, for once slope angles reach 30 degrees, it is still potential avalanche terrain regardless of all other factors. A clinometer and compass, to establish slope face direction, are important tools for gauging slope aspect.
North-facing slopes are the most likely to avalanche during the middle of winter. South-facing slopes become dangerous in the spring and during sunny days as the sun begins to rise higher in the sky.
Leeward slopes – those that face away from the prevailing wind;
are dangerous because wind borne snow adds to rapid accumulation of depth;
also, the hard, hollow-sounding wind slab may develop there. Windward
slopes generally have less snow and benefit from wind compaction.
[1] Generally described in more detail in the avalanche bulletin (e.g.
altitude, slope aspect, type of terrain, etc.)
[2] Additional load:-
High - e.g. group of skiers, piste machine, avalanche blasting.
Low - e.g. skier, walker
[3] Steep slopes: slopes with an incline of more than 30 degrees.
[4] Steep extreme slopes: those which are particularly unfavourable in
terms of the incline, terrain profile, proximity to ridge, smoothness
of underlying ground surface
[5] Aspect: compass bearing directly down the slope
[6] Natural: Without human assistance