It is a nice day. Really, a very nice day

Snow is fresh from the night, people are skiing in t-shirts on the ski slopes. Yeah.. really, what to ask more.

Because after 3 days of going down the same slopes, the search for the excitement of the first time comes back quickly.

That’s great because 2 people in your group of friends know off-piste well and do it often near their place.

So in the early afternoon, you decide to follow them, it’s not the first time you do that either! It already happened last year near their place.

Just that this time, it is not near their place.

Everyone will carry and be responsible for their own pack. And now it’s time for the final check before leaving.

• Shovel ✔️
• Paper map ✔️
• First aid kit ✔️
• Water + energy bars ✔️
• Headlamp ✔️

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1. How many essential items are missing?

A] 0

B] 1

C] 2

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🏂🏼🏂🏼🏂🏼

And it’s time for the unexpected off-piste situation to comes up…

The path initially planned is no longer available, there is not enough snow…

Luckily, others seem to be! There is even a choice.

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2. Which direction do you take?

A] Go down the North slope

B] Go down the West slope

C] Go down the South slope

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We can’t say that you are all very confident about that choice. Let’s say that smiles are now hidden behind concentration.

Especially since the the avalanche alert has just popped up on your phones. Also… it is the second time you see a REGA helicopter (Swiss Air-Rescue Guard) passing nearby…

You look at each other: so who’s going first?

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3. How do you decide to go down?

A] All together to not lose anyone

B] Two by two to make sure

C] One by one to limit the load

No matter your choice, at some point it’s your turn to go.

You start the descent. Your eyes scan the slope, looking for the right zones.

Then a deep sound.

🔍 Your Choices

Let’s review each decision.

1. How many essential items are missing?

A] 0 +1

B] 1 +3

C] 2 +2

You missed the most important: an Avalanche Transceiver

That’s what will save your life if you get buried under the snow. In transmit mode, it emits radio waves that allow other members of your group and to rescue teams to find you.

You should also have a whistle on you, because voices and screams don’t get through the snow very well.

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2. Which direction do you take?

A] Go down the North slope +3

B] Go down the West slope +2

C] Go down the South slope +1

The choice of the slope is not trivial at all, especially when the day is hot and sunny.

The sun’s rays heat up the snow, make it melt, and destabilize it.

In the Alps, and it is valid for all mountains in the Northern Hemisphere, here’s the rule to follow:

• North slope first: it is the least exposed to the sun, no matter the time of day
• Then the East slope: it is warmed in the morning but no longer in the afternoon
• The West slope: a good choice in the morning but exposed in the afternoon when the rays are the strongest
• The South slope is always to be avoided: the opposite of the North, it is exposed all day long

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3. How do you decide to go down?

A] All together to not lose anyone +1

B] Two by two to make sure +2

C] One by one to limit the load +3

An avalanche is triggered when the resistance of the snow to stay on the slope becomes lower than its weight.

The more weight you add, the more this balance is likely to tip.

It may be preferable to send the lightest person down first and observe whether the slope reacts. If there is any sign, the others will have to find another way.

⚖️ The Verdict

Add up your points and see where you stand.

3–4 points → You are probably dead and no-one will ever find your body

👉 Your decisions exposed you to the worst risks. There is enough to do on the ski slope, no need to complicate things for you.

5–6 points → You are lucky this time.

👉 Your choices weren’t the best, but with some luck you might have made it. Don’t count on luck next time.

7–9 points → I see that you know how to ski off-piste.

👉 You applied all the right reflexes. Nothing is guaranteed with Nature, but you maximized your chances of having the safest session.