Sustainability Stories - Episode 2: Safety in the Backcountry

A mountain safety reminder with Salomon team riders and certified mountain guides

The second episode of our Sustainability Series examines the various ways you can become educated in the area of backcountry safety. First, we visit with certified mountain guide and Salomon freeski team member Tony Lamiche to talk about the Salomon Mountain Academy on Snow. Then we tracked down another certified mountain guide and Salomon athlete, Greg Hill (who was dressed in a bathrobe and sitting by a fireplace at the time), to hear how professional skiers continuously expand their knowledge when it comes to moving in the backcountry. Greg also shares a personal story about how being overconfident nearly cost him his life in an avalanche in Pakistan and why it’s important to be constantly learning.

Finally, Salomon snowboards team rider and all-around good dude Victor Daviet meets us in the mountains to discuss why he started a program called Safety Shred Days, which offers a low-cost, fun environment where young freeriders can learn backcountry tips from guides and pros like him. Then we eat cheese and bread. As in episode 1, expect a few surprises along the way.

MOUNTAIN SAFETY BASICS

In Episode 2, we also share a few of the “backcountry basics” shared by the many mountain guides we work with at Salomon. Here’s a reminder:

• 1. There is no such thing as being “Risk-Free.” The only way to avoid all risks is to stay home. Staying safe in the mountains is about managing risk, so it’s important to understand where the biggest risks are, and how exposed you are to them.
• 2. Your beacon, shovel, probe and even an airbag backpack are not safety devices that prevent accidents. These are tools to be used when things go south. You should know how to use them…but hope you don’t have to.
• 3. Just because the forecast says the risk level is at the lower end of the scale doesn’t mean you can forget about the dangers. Avalanche reports are great tools, but they’re just one small piece of the puzzle. Remember, if you’re out chasing deep powder, there’s a good chance you’re spending much of your time in higher-risk zones.
• 4. Being close to the resort doesn’t mean you’re safe. Whether you are a few meters from a groomed slope or you’re riding inside a closed, uncontrolled ski resort, the fact that there are chairlifts nearby doesn’t mean there is no risk. You are in a wild environment and responsible for managing your own risk.
• 5. Finally, just because you see ski tracks, doesn’t make it safe. Conditions change during the day and over the course of several days. Don't follow a skin track just because it's there or because the map on your phone app says to. Learning how to read terrain is the biggest factor when it comes to having a safe day out.

Remember, when you leave the confines of a controlled environment like a ski resort, the game changes. Mountain guides tell us that both beginners and highly experienced backcountry skiers fall victim to these traps. Learning them can be the difference between a fun day in the backcountry and making a grave mistake.