Item: Swedish Skiers Knowledge, Experience and Attitudes Towards Off-Piste Skiing and Avalanches
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Title: Swedish Skiers Knowledge, Experience and Attitudes Towards Off-Piste Skiing and Avalanches
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop Grenoble – Chamonix Mont-Blanc - October 07-11, 2013
Authors:
- Stefan Maartensson [ Luleaa University of Technology, Sweden ]
- Per-Olov Wikberg [ Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Sweden ]
- Petter Palmgren [ Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Sweden ]
Date: 2013-10-07
Abstract: The winter of 2012/2013 was the most accident-prone season in the Swedish avalanche history with a total of seven dead Swedes. In April 2013 the Swedish Mountain Safety Council initiated a web-based survey aimed towards Swedish skiers. The aim was to identify the target group's knowledge, experience and attitudes towards off-piste skiing and avalanches. Respondents were asked to answer a total of 28 questions. 1047 Swedish off-piste skiers answered, and we analysed them in more detail. The Swedish off-piste skier is apparently a seasoned skier who skis a lot every year. About 80 % ski at least two weeks per year and over 90 % have skied for at least 10 years. He or she is well trained and equipped for avalanche accidents. About 90 % possess avalanche equipment and about 60 % use it regularly. About 80 % believe they have good avalanche knowledge and 50 % have taken an avalanche course. About 35 % have themselves been caught in an avalanche, and 60 % knows someone who has. Although experience, education and the recent tragic deaths, offpiste and ski touring are increasing, approximately 80 % ski, as much or more, than three years ago. Approximately 50 % are unaffected by the recent accidents and about 75 % are still willing to take risks to go off-piste. The results show no indications of a more restrictive behaviour. The respondents seem often to overestimate their skills when skiing in avalanche terrain. Swedish avalanche education and communication is clearly missing an important piece.
Object ID: ISSW13_paper_O5-11.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Unknown
Keywords: avalanche education, human factors, avalanche accidents
Page Number(s): 483-485
Subjects: avalanche education avalanche accidents off-piste
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