Off-Piste

The past few weeks it has been continuously in the news. Chaos in the Alps, people are averse to avalanches and you are almost discouraged to travel to your holiday destination. It often turns out that the people who get into trouble are skiing off-piste, but why do people take this risk with avalanche code 5? Knowing what the consequences can be?

Skiing on a freshly prepared slope is fantastic, but that is not enough for every winter sports enthusiast. Some winter sports enthusiasts are looking for the ultimate feeling of excitement and freedom. Off-piste skiing or freeriding is becoming more and more popular and that is not surprising at all. Making a ‘first-track’ through the deep powder snow gives a very magical feeling. Skiing outside the piste is not without risk and therefore only set off with sufficient preparation and special avalanche equipment. Many ski areas offer off-piste opportunities.

 

But watch out! Of course, off-piste skiing or snowboarding is never without risk. There are many dangers off-piste. However, you can try to minimize the risk, to avoid causing an avalanche or ending up with it. The local authorities and guides know best how nature reacts in their environment. So please follow these advices at all times!

Think of the 3-unit: Avalanche Transceiver, shovel and probe and make sure you know how to use it. An avalanche airbag is also not a luxury. Hiring a mountain guide with the right papers, in addition to more safety, also gives you more fun. A mountain guide knows where the best curves are to ski. In addition to the necessary precautionary measures such as avalanche material and knowledge, your insurance is also very important. Are you insured during off-piste skiing or snowboarding? This differs per insurer. Of course you are always helped when an accident happens, but do you know whether your bill is paid? So check this well before you take on the challenge.

Do you want to give it a try? First of all, make sure you prepare well:

1. Avalanche Transceiver: This can not only save your own life, but also that of someone else in your group. With this you can always be found. Make sure it is fully charged, that you know how it works and that it fits perfectly.
2. Probe: When you need a transceiver, then you also need a probe. If a friend is lying under the snow, the probe will save valuable time to find the person.
3. Shovel: When it is determined where the person in danger is located, it is possible that there is a decent layer of snow over it. The shovel helps you dig much faster than your hands can, because every second counts.
4. Backpack: To take all important supplies safely and well, it is wise to carry this in a good backpack. Do not forget an extra layer of clothing and possibly water and snacks. Because you will never know in what kind of situation you will end up.
5. Goggles: Good visibility and protection against snow is important during an off-piste challenge.
6. Helmet: onder alle meters verse poedersneeuw zitten rotsen, sommige zijn duidelijker zichtbaar dan anderen. Met al de vorderingen in bescherming is een helm deze dagen dan ook geen overbodige luxe om in ieder geval je hoofd goed te beschermen. There are rocks under all meters of fresh powder snow, some of them more clearly visible than others. With all the development in protection a helmet these days is a base to at least protect your head well.
7. Preparation: Ensure proper preparation, practice and test all materials and equipment. If you do not have experience with skiing outside the slopes? Take lessons from a guide and learn about ski techniques, safety and how to evaluate snow conditions. In any case, a certified guide can improve your off-piste experience. They have a lot of knowledge about the area and the conditions. So you will always see the most beautiful places.

A lot of skiresorts offer fantastic off-piste opportunities and these are a few well-known:

Vallee Blanche (France) I think is the best known of these 5, but further there is Verbier (Swiss), Arlberg (Austria), Niseko (Japan) and Revelstroke (Canada).

So I say: Enjoy!, but be prepared!

XoXo – Kou Sportswear