Here are our reflections on a great season?

The question everybody asks us - Is it safe out there?  In the best season for 30 years the snow semed to fall steadily and regularly.  It rarely fell in such large quantity that it created massive instability. (except in a few places on the Italian border where a lot more fell).  

You might think this made it safer.  But the avalanche accident statisics suggest that this year was just as dangerous as previous years.  Deaths from accidents were the highest for 3 years with 14 deaths occuring across 17 reported accidents in Savoie.

Click on this link for detailed tatistcs file with report from Henry. 
Download Avalanche Accidents France April 24 2009.pdf (43.3K)

Also see report on a specific accident that Henry wrote

http://www.getoffpiste.com/avalanche_accident_comments/

 

Why does thishappen  when conditions were reportedly more stable?  The answer lies in how we explain what you should do to stay safe.  The answer to the question is it safe out there is not a simple yes or no. 

 

The answer is "it depends".  It depends quite a lot on you and how you conduct yourself.  It depends on three things.

• Where you and when?
• How you go down and up?
• How well prepared you are?

So how did we do in getting this message across this year.

Over 2000 people had a HAT experience either attending a talk or beeper training or an on-snow programme or a combination of these.

 

We started issuing certificates of competence and a number of you secured one of these.

 

http://www.getoffpiste.com/2009/03/this-weeks-hat-certificates.html

 

We launched the HAT off-piste shop.  so HAT supporters can buy  material that discusses this in more details.  Henry's Avalanche and off-piste awareness DVD and the Wayne Watson book on off piste skiing.. 

 

Click on the photos to find out more.

 

                    

 

These are two very straightforward guides that give loads of helpful and practical advice on how to get more from off-piste skiing.  You can watch the intro to the DVD on our website click here

 

We did our best to help and reduced prices as it became apparent that the euro/£ exchange rate was making things much more expensiev for British clients.

 

The Italians made transceivers mandatory for off piste in Aosta - our readers added some comments along the lines of the HAT message

 

See comments here

http://www.getoffpiste.com/2009/02/italy-makes-it-a-legal-requirement-to-use-beeper-shovel-and-probe.html

 

We promoted debate on Helmet wearing.  The majority of comments were in favour of helment wearing.  But as we said, this is a matter of personal choice and not for legislation or sanctimonious preaching at people.

 

See comments here

http://www.getoffpiste.com/2009/03/the-helmet-debate-please-contribute.html

Where you and when?

How you go down and up?

How well prepared you are?

Over 2000 people had a HAT experience either attending a talk or beeper training or an on-snow programme or a combination of these.

 

We started issuing certificates of competence and a number of you secured one of these.

 

http://www.getoffpiste.com/2009/03/this-weeks-hat-certificates.html