Item: ACCESSING THE SKIER´S PERSPECTIVE: A QUALITATIVE METHODOLOGY APPROACH FOR UNDERSTANDING THE RECREATIONAL SKIER.
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Title: ACCESSING THE SKIER´S PERSPECTIVE: A QUALITATIVE METHODOLOGY APPROACH FOR UNDERSTANDING THE RECREATIONAL SKIER.
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop 2024, Tromsø, Norway
Authors:
- Tarjei Tveito Skille [ CARE – Center for Avalanche Research and Education, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Psychology ]
Date: 2024-09-23
Abstract: While most avalanche research on human factors is done with a quantitative methodology approach (Hetland et al., 2023), it fails to analyze qualitative experiences of the recreational backcountry skier. The understanding of the skier as a sensuous and social being adds to the complexity of insights that today paint the picture of decision-making in avalanche terrain. If we want to further understand the attraction to skiing, and prevent future avalanche fatalities, the skier´s own perspective of being a skier in avalanche terrain is key. Backcountry skiing as a winter recreation activity is highly sensorial and the sensuous elements and values among backcountry skiers are prominent. Thus, delving into the meaning and significance of these elements is fruitful. Following recreational skiers over the span of two winter seasons in Tromsø, Northern Norway, in an ethnographic fieldwork, I delved into the work of closing in on a deeper understanding of the recreational skier. The main findings show that backcountry skiing is rooted in the senses, in two ways: the skier senses and relates to nature, and the skier senses and relates to other skiers. For one thing, the accomplishment of adapting to a slope and mastering a descent, the fear of falling in steep terrain, or the immeasurable joy of powder turns down a sunset-lit face; it is all rooted in emotions and expressed sensuously. For another, the nature is most often experienced together with others. Moreover, these two relations are interrelated; the sensing of and behaviour in – say steep terrain – gain or reinforce effect through being shared with other people and through social interactions of the groups. Overall, through a qualitative social-phenomenological and (auto-)ethnographic approach, we can better access the perceptions and in-the-moment experiences of the recreational skiers themselves. These insights can broaden our understanding of what attracts skiers to this recreational activity, even though there is an accompanying risk with venturing in avalanche terrain.
Object ID: ISSW2024_P11.10.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s):
Keywords: qualitative methodology, ethnography, sensuous skier, skiers perspective, emotion
Page Number(s): 1573 - 1578
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