Where to Ski And Snowboard - Avalanche awareness days launched for teenagers

Avalanche awareness days launched for teenagers

14th December 2017, by Abi Butcher

Skiing off piste without knowledge of the dangers is a recurring profile says Nick Parks

Grimentz-Zinal Backcountry Adventures (GZBA) will be running a several avalanche awareness days for teenagers during the Christmas holidays.

The off-piste days on 28 December and 2 January, and revolve around the question: “is this slope safe to ski?”, taking into account the decisions skiers must take from the start to the finish, how to recognise hazards and warning signs, minimize risks and correct use of safety equipment. Days in Zinal and Grimentz cost 100CHF, and more may be added if there is demand.

“Our Teenage Awareness programme was born out of being a parent whose kids were tearing off-piste from their first days on skis and knowing it wasn’t going to be long before they broke away from Dad the Mountain Guide,” says father of two Nick Parks, owner of GZBA and highly respected IFMGA guide.

“The recurring profile of skiers getting themselves into trouble off piste is the 19-year-old doing their first ‘season’ — all the ability, can ski anything but knows nothing of the dangers. It’s every parent’s nightmare.”

Nick adds: “GZ Teenage Backcountry Awareness aims to give youngsters an understanding of the hazards mountains pose and managing the risks they present. Skiing in the backcountry is all about having fun but that also means being aware of the dangers. Involving youngsters in the decision making process from their first ventures off-piste makes for safer skiers enjoying the backcountry.”

backcountryadventures.co.uk