The avalanche danger

Press, 4 October 1977, Page 40

The avalanche danger

Avalanches have caused their share of deaths in the New Zealand mountains over the years, but the country has so far been lucky enough to avoid a major avalanche disaster. An increasing number of skiers who have only a rudimentary knowledge of mountain weather and snow conditions are now finding access to ski-fields increasingly easy; the risk of such a major disaster is therefore higher now than it has ever been Incidents at two Canterbury skifields last week-end should have reminded especially those responsible for running the province’s commercial fields that there are serious risks against which they should warn their patrons. In anticipation of these risks they should maintain strict safety standards. Most of the ski-fields appear to take reasonable precautions to guard against a large avalanche sweeping a crowded slope; and they seem to be reasonably prepared to cope should such an avalanche strike The major danger with the newer commercial ski-fields is, perhaps, that their promotion of the sport

may arouse in the minds of some customers an expectation that good weather and safe conditions have been guaranteed before they set out from the city. In the mountains, no-one can rightfully expect such a guarantee. The public should be reminded constantly that even on a highly developed and well managed ski-field the weather is still dangerously fickle and snow condi tions can be deceptively treacherous. Awareness of the danger will not necessarily avert a disaster: but it may moderate an unavoidable tragedy.

Predicting an avalanche is very difficult, even for someone with experience. The risk of an avalanche’s catching large numbers of skiers unawares can never be entirely eliminated. The operators of, in particular, the popular fields which attract large numbers of relatively inexperienced people into what may become a dangerous situation, must impress on their patrons that the risk is there and that orders from safety officers must be obeyed. On both sides Yespect for the mountains is essential.