Avoid avalanche accidents

The winter sports season is just around the corner. In addition to touring skiers, "freeriders" (off-piste skiers) and snowshoe hikers are increasingly out and about in untouched snowy landscapes. But away from secured pistes and routes there are risks such as the danger of falling and especially avalanches. In Switzerland, around 20 snow sports enthusiasts die every year as a result of avalanches: around 30 percent were out and about as freeriders and 60 percent as tourers. 90 percent triggered the avalanche themselves, and two out of five winter sports enthusiasts who were completely buried by an avalanche lost their lives.

The BFU - Swiss Council for Accident Prevention has published new information brochures for the winter sports activities touring skiing, deep snow skiing and snowshoeing. In these brochures, winter sports enthusiasts will find information and tips that will help them to recognize risks at an early stage and to reduce or avoid dangers. The BFU relies on the personal responsibility of the sportsmen and sportswomen and advises them to adopt a cautious attitude and to build up a safety reserve.

If you do not have the necessary avalanche knowledge and enough experience, this means, for example:

• When skiing in deep snow or snowshoeing, use secured, yellow-marked downhill routes or signalized snowshoe routes at the latest from danger level 3 (flashing warning lights in the snow sports area).
• On ski tours, take a route with a low risk. This means staying in moderately steep terrain or choosing a bfu-Plaisir tour.
• Attend an avalanche course, learn about the current conditions and take your emergency equipment with you.
• Join avalanche-knowledgeable professionals or experienced guides.

Click here to download:

bfu brochure "Off the slopes
bfu brochure "Snowshoeing
bfu brochure "Ski touring