Item: Recent Trends and Prevention Strategies for Avalanche and Snow Immersion Risk at U.S. and B.C. Ski Areas
-
-
Title: Recent Trends and Prevention Strategies for Avalanche and Snow Immersion Risk at U.S. and B.C. Ski Areas
Proceedings: Proceedings Whistler 2008 International Snow Science Workshop September 21-27, 2008
Authors:
- Paul Baugher [ Northwest Avalanche Institute, Crystal Mountain Ski Area ]
Date: 2008-09-22
Abstract: Many ISSW participants are involved in snow safety operations at ski areas. Understanding recent changes in trends in avalanche and snow immersion risk at ski areas will help us better educate and protect ski area users. Analysis of the last 18 years found 6 ski area avalanche fatalities in bounds reflecting a trend in reduction. 60 fatalities (12% of the total U.S. and 9% of Canadian total) associated with leaving the ski area boundary indicate a flat trend in this risky in this behavior. Not well documented during the same 18 years, is an increasing trend in the risk of asphyxiation in deep snow in bounds at ski areas. 57 Non-Avalanche Related Snow Immersion Deaths (NARSID) occurred during the study period. NARSID currently accounts for 15% of all ski area fatalities in the United States. In B.C., during the period from 1993 to 1998, it accounted for 25% of all ski area in bounds fatalities. The NARSID risk in the U.S. is currently 15 times greater than the avalanche risk in bounds at a ski area. In 2005-06 alone, 40% of the total snowboard fatalities at U.S. ski areas were NARSIDs. The greatest risk continues to be lack of awareness.
Object ID: P__8158.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Paul Baugher
Keywords: snow immersion, avalanche fatalities, narsid, ski area, risk management
Page Number(s): 766
Subjects: avalanche hazard avalanche risk avalanche danger
-