Do you like Freedom, Fun and Safety? More and more people are fascinated by ski touring. The experience in the wilderness, the feeling of one's own limits, the descent is thrilling and in order to avoid risks, a good project also requires a good knowledge of oneself and one's environment. Accidents must be avoided. The fate of the skiers must be considered to be before the avalanche, not after!

This article is presented by WEMountain

So that the best days of your life are not the worst, you can now learn online, in your free time and without having to travel! Learn how to stay safe in the mountains and how to react in case of an avalanche. Accessible to all, the WEMountain method is progressive, fun and based on a simple and universal language that allows a clear communication without borders.

Thanks to the “WEM Safety Tips”, avoid the classic mistakes:

WELL HEADED

Always remain vigilant about your MOTIVATIONS, EMOTIONS, PERCEPTIONS or your ability to concentrate and make decisions, which can change rapidly and expose you to a higher risk of accident.

FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOUR BODY

Eat before you are hungry, drink before you are thirsty and get enough sleep to allow your body to recover after exercise. Sleep plays a key role in memory and learning.

BE IN SHAPE

DISEASE, INJURY or PAIN can make you take risks to avoid the suffering they cause. It is important, therefore, to choose suitable races or to identify ways of escaping certain difficulties if the medical problems become too great.

WELL EQUIPPED

Always adapt your SPORTS and RESCUE equipment to your plans and abilities. It must be in order and well prepared. It must be adequate and known.

BE AWARE OF THE WEATHER

The WEATHER influences your visibility, your ability to orientate or observe. It can force you to make wrong choices, take wrong routes or miss specific dangers. Be aware of its evolution which can be very fast in the mountains. In the event of an avalanche, bad weather has consequences for the rescue and the speed of the rescue team.

KNOW THE TERRAIN WELL

TERRAIN influences the quality and transformation of the snow. Snow sports enthusiasts look for powdery slopes. These slopes are usually in the shade. It is also on these shaded slopes that the instability of the snowpack persists the longest. The avalanche bulletin mentions the orientation of the slopes at risk. It is therefore necessary to know the orientation of the slopes.

KNOW THE PRECIPITATION WELL

PRECIPITATION impairs visibility and creates general discomfort. Make sure you adapt your equipment and clothing to the precipitation, so that you stay dry and warm, and can make the right decisions. Rain and snow precipitation also affect the cohesion of the snowpack and greatly affect its stability as an additional load. Always ask about the intensity of the last precipitation in order to define your project.

BE AWARE OF PITFALLS

Did you know that SPECIFIC TERRAINS are features of the terrain that decrease or increase the risk of avalanche? There are 2 families:

• FAVOURABLE TERRAINS reduce the risk or the consequences of an avalanche. We look for them to progress in safety. 
• UNFAVOURABLE TERRAINS increase the risk or consequences of an avalanche. They are conducive to the triggering of an avalanche and/or can aggravate its consequences.

RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT

Most of the environmental impact of a day in the mountains is due to transport. Wherever possible, regroup in your vehicles or take public transport to go riding.

TOGETHER LET’S MAKE THE MOUNTAINS SAFER!

What are the most common mistakes in ski touring and why is avalanche training necessary?

• Approximately 200 people lose their lives every year in avalanches in the Alps, and north America
• 90% of all avalanches are triggered by the victim himself or a member of his group 
• One in two avalanche victims dies 
• The number of freeriders and ski tourers is increasing every year 
• Ski touring and off-piste skiing is more accessible than ever 
• Rescue and survival gear is becoming more and more widespread