J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by SwingBeep

Wot no Dendix?

The Mammut Element Barryvox and the Ortovox 3+ do well in tests here http://www.kassensturz.sf.tv/Tests/Lawinenverschuettetensuchgeraete-im-Test The shovel should preferably be made from 6061 aluminium tempered to T6 and if you have a small hand a D shaped handle is better than a T shaped one. The probe should be about 2.5m in length and should not come apart or bend in use; some of them are a bit flimsy.

It is possible to rent the gear but you need to practice using it first.

Considering the size of the market (the world market for avalanche transceivers is about 70,000 units a year) and their complexity, transceivers are remarkably cheap. Sport Conrad is selling one for 190 euros at the moment, which isn't a great deal more than a POC helmet.

The real problem is acquiring the knowledge needed to decide whether a slope is safe to ski or not, this takes time and most skiers simply don't have the time available. A recent study by an Austrian university found that 40% of off piste skiers under estimate the avalanche danger, especially when the slope is greater than 40 degrees, when the snow is wet and when the avalanche danger is at level 4.

AllyG, there are several off-piste routes down the Vallon de la Sache http://www.chaletchardons.com/off-piste.html

This morning 3 members of a group of 12 were caught in an avalanche at Samnaun, also this morning 3 members of a group of 8 were taken by one near Serfaus, one of the group is in a critical condition after being buried under 1.2 m of snow for 20 mins. On Saturday afternoon 2 members of a group of 3 were caught in one at Celerina and 3 snowboarders were caught in an avalanche at Solden last Friday. These together with the ones reported by PisteHors bring the total to 10 so far.

AllyG wrote: I wouldn't be at all surprised if the insurers counted you as off-piste even if you're only about 2 yards off the piste.

According to this document; L'obligation d'assurer la sécurité sur les descnetes pour sports de neige. http://www.seilbahnen.org/Service_des_piste_et_de_sauvetage.html which governs the operation of snow sport areas here in Switzerland, the piste officially ends 2 metres beyond the poles marking the edge of the piste. Other alpine countries have similar regulations.

If you are skiing off piste near to a piste you should take extra care as pistes are legally classified as public thoroughfares, if you trigger an avalanche that covers one it's an extremely serious matter especially if someone one is caught in it.

It is a criminal offence to trigger an avalanche in Italy (even in the middle of nowhere) the punishment can be up to 12 years in jail, if a death is involved 15 years. As I mentioned previously it's mandatory to carry avi gear when skiing off piste in Piemonte, in the rest of Italy ski tourers are required use avalanche transceivers if there is an obvious avalanche risk, the risk level is not given.

The link from Cervinia to Zermatt is often closed in January due to high winds. Keep an eye on the weather forecast http://www.zermatt.ch/en/page.cfm/service/Wetter/wetter_prognose? and the open lifts on the Zermatt side.

I don't think waste water is used for snow making in Europe (it would cost too much to pump it up the mountains) and chemical / biological additives are banned.

To help you assess the risks involved have a look at the info provided by the SLF http://www.slf.ch/dienstleistungen/merkblaetter/index_EN and download their e-learning application White Risk http://download.whiterisk.org/WRStore/lang_e/home/home.jsp

Seven of people involved were part of an organised group. The public prosecutor has launched an investigation to find out the cause of the avalanche, if it was triggered by one of the group and the role of the leader. The rescue involved three helicopters and several avalanche dogs, even though nobody was reported missing the rescue service continued to search the avalanche cone until it got dark. The bill for all this will be enormous.