{"id":295396,"date":"2025-01-07T18:18:19","date_gmt":"2025-01-07T13:36:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/avalanches-merci-de-rester-a-cote-de-la-plaque\/"},"modified":"2025-01-07T18:26:48","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T17:26:48","slug":"avalanches-thank-staying-out-trouble-accident","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/avalanches-thank-staying-out-trouble-accident\/","title":{"rendered":"Avalanches: thank you for staying out of trouble"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”1px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”800px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/alpine.quotes-02.png” title_text=”alpine.quotes-02″ align=”center” show_bottom_space_tablet=”” show_bottom_space_phone=”” show_bottom_space_last_edited=”on|phone” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ max_width=”50%” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”100%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||-40px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”0px||-40px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”800px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font_size=”18px” hover_enabled=”0″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

I<\/span>t’s a sensitive subject. For the victims above all: mourning a death in an avalanche is simply unbearable. The death of a 14-year-old teenager in Les Arcs on 25 December, that of Swiss snowboarder Sophie R\u00e9diger two days earlier, and the more recent death of an off-piste skier at La Norma, all made headlines in the general press. It’s as if the contrast with the almost obligatory joy of the festive season reinforced the emphasis.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/avalanche-norma-pghm.jpg” title_text=”avalanche-norma-pghm” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font=”Merriweather|900|||||||” text_font_size=”16″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ border_style=”solid” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

The avalanche that claimed the life of a skier in a valley accessible from french ski resort La Norma. \u00a9PGHM Savoie<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font_size=”18px” hover_enabled=”0″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

But the reality is cruel. The the french national snow and avalanche association (ANENA) statistics show that an average of thirty avalanche victims die every year in France. And this rises to more than 50 deaths in the worst years. For its part, data-avalanche.org already lists 84 avalanches of all types and sizes at the start of the season. The point here is not to minimise the terrible shockwave that such accidents represent, just to understand them properly. Even within the editorial team of a mountain magazine, the pleasure of entering winter is also tinged with apprehension, in anticipation of the avalanches to come.<\/p>\n

So how can you continue to ski off-piste, on the outskirts of ski areas or ski touring, with the cold statistics in mind? Can you really get through the winter without asking the almost shameful question: who’s next? Someone you know? A friend? A friend?<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial quote_icon_color=”#000000″ quote_icon_background_color=”#ffffff” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ body_font=”Oswald|700||on|||||” body_text_align=”center” body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”30″ use_background_color=”off” custom_margin=”50px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

it is essential to be trained
and to be informed<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”800px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font_size=”18px” hover_enabled=”0″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Ever since Messner, we’ve known that the mountains aren’t just or unfair, they’re dangerous. This is particularly true when it comes to avalanches, which affect both amateur and experienced skiers, mountain guides and resort tourists alike. So what can be done to avoid them? Can we one day hope for zero deaths in the mountains, as the public authorities hope every year? It’s highly unlikely, given that there is no such thing as zero risk.<\/p>\n

But we can’t stress enough the importance of training (avalanche victim search, snow conditions, meteorology, use of an airbag, etc.) and information (avalanche risk assessment bulletin, wind, slope map, team or rope organisation).<\/p>\n

And given the absence of avalanche transceivers in most of the latest victims, it’s also worth remembering that it’s essential to bring one. While the Recco reflection system allows you to be detected by trackers or rescuers, it is of no use to your skiing companions, who are the first people to be able to pull you out of a burrow. Only an avalanche transceiver can help find you in time. Remember too that after the first 15 minutes under the snow, your chances of survival plummet.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial quote_icon_color=”#000000″ quote_icon_background_color=”#ffffff” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ body_font=”Oswald|700||on|||||” body_text_align=”center” body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”30″ use_background_color=”off” custom_margin=”50px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

the best way to get out of an avalanche
is not to trigger it<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”800px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font_size=”18px” hover_enabled=”0″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Finally, the best way to get out of an avalanche is not to trigger it. Nobody is immune, but by combining all the preventive measures, the risk can be significantly reduced.<\/p>\n

I apologise for these reminders, which may seem a bit clich\u00e9d. It’s just that if for once we have to hit a few open doors to keep our readers, then I’m going straight for it.<\/p>\n

Take care.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It’s a sensitive subject. For the victims above all: mourning a death in…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":295397,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_margin_tablet=\"\" custom_margin_phone=\"\" custom_margin_last_edited=\"on|desktop\" custom_padding=\"1px||||false|false\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.22.1\" _module_preset=\"default\" max_width=\"800px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.22.1\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_image src=\"https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/alpine.quotes-02.png\" title_text=\"alpine.quotes-02\" align=\"center\" show_bottom_space_tablet=\"\" show_bottom_space_phone=\"\" show_bottom_space_last_edited=\"on|phone\" align_tablet=\"center\" align_phone=\"\" align_last_edited=\"on|desktop\" _builder_version=\"4.22.1\" max_width=\"50%\" max_width_tablet=\"\" max_width_phone=\"100%\" max_width_last_edited=\"on|desktop\" module_alignment=\"center\" custom_margin=\"||-40px||false|false\" custom_margin_tablet=\"\" custom_margin_phone=\"0px||-40px||false|false\" custom_margin_last_edited=\"on|phone\" custom_padding=\"0px||||false|false\" border_style=\"solid\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.22.1\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.16\" max_width=\"800px\" module_alignment=\"center\" custom_margin_tablet=\"\" custom_margin_phone=\"\" custom_margin_last_edited=\"on|phone\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font_size=\"18px\" z_index_tablet=\"500\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n

[dropcap size=big]C[\/dropcap]\u2019est un sujet sensible. Pour les victimes avant tout : pleurer un mort en avalanche est tout bonnement insupportable. La mort d\u2019un adolescent de 14 ans aux Arcs le 25 d\u00e9cembre dernier, celle de la snowboardeuse suisse Sophie R\u00e9diger deux jours auparavant, ou celle plus r\u00e9cente d\u2019une skieuse hors pistes \u00e0 la Norma, ont fait les gros titre de la presse g\u00e9n\u00e9raliste. Comme si le contraste avec la joie quasi obligatoire en cette p\u00e9riode de f\u00eates renfor\u00e7ait encore la mise en exergue.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=\"https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/avalanche-norma-pghm.jpg\" title_text=\"avalanche-norma-pghm\" show_bottom_space=\"off\" align=\"center\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font=\"Merriweather|900|||||||\" text_font_size=\"16\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" border_style=\"solid\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\nL'avalanche qui a cout\u00e9 la vie \u00e0 une skieuse, dans un vallon accessible depuis la Norma. \u00a9PGHM Savoie\n\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font_size=\"18px\" z_index_tablet=\"500\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\nPourtant, la r\u00e9alit\u00e9 est cruelle. Les statistiques de l\u2019ANENA indiquent que c\u2019est le lot d\u2019une trentaine de victimes d\u2019avalanches en moyenne chaque ann\u00e9e. Et cela monte \u00e0 plus de 50 d\u00e9c\u00e8s les ann\u00e9es noires. De son c\u00f4t\u00e9, data-avalanche.org<\/a> recense d\u00e9j\u00e0 84 avalanches de tous types et toutes ampleurs, en ce d\u00e9bit de saison. Il n\u2019est pas question ici de minimiser la terrible onde de choc que repr\u00e9sentent de tels accidents, juste de bien les comprendre. M\u00eame au sein de la r\u00e9daction d\u2019un magazine de montagne, le plaisir d\u2019entrer dans l\u2019hiver est aussi teint\u00e9 d\u2019appr\u00e9hension, en pr\u00e9vision des avalanches \u00e0 venir.\n\nAlors comment continuer \u00e0 skier hors des pistes, en p\u00e9riph\u00e9rie de domaine skiable ou en ski de randonn\u00e9e, avec les froides statistiques en t\u00eate ? Peut-on vraiment passer l\u2019hiver en mettant de c\u00f4t\u00e9 cette question presque honteuse qui taraude : qui le prochain ? Une connaissance ? Un copain ? Moi ?\u00a0<\/span>\n\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial quote_icon_color=\"#000000\" quote_icon_background_color=\"#ffffff\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" body_font=\"Oswald|700||on|||||\" body_text_align=\"center\" body_text_color=\"#000000\" body_font_size=\"30\" use_background_color=\"off\" custom_margin=\"50px||||false|false\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\nil est imp\u00e9ratif de se former\net de s\u2019informer\n\n[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.16\" max_width=\"800px\" module_alignment=\"center\" custom_margin_tablet=\"\" custom_margin_phone=\"\" custom_margin_last_edited=\"on|phone\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font_size=\"18px\" z_index_tablet=\"500\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\nOn sait depuis Messner que la montagne n\u2019est pas juste ou injuste, elle est dangereuse. C\u2019est particuli\u00e8rement vrai pour ce qui concerne les avalanches qui touchent aussi bien les skieurs amateurs que confirm\u00e9s, les guides de montagnes comme les touristes en station. Alors comment faire pour les \u00e9viter ? Pourra-t-on esp\u00e9rer un jour le z\u00e9ro mort en montagne comme l\u2019esp\u00e8rent chaque ann\u00e9e les pouvoirs publics ? C\u2019est fort peu probable, sachant que le risque z\u00e9ro n\u2019existe pas.\u00a0<\/span>\n\nMais on ne r\u00e9p\u00e8tera jamais assez qu\u2019il est imp\u00e9ratif de se former (recherche de victimes en avalanche, nivologie, m\u00e9t\u00e9orologie, utilisation d\u2019un sac airbag\u2026) et de s\u2019informer (bulletin d\u2019estimation des risques d\u2019avalanche, vent, carte des pentes, organisation de l\u2019\u00e9quipe ou de la cord\u00e9e).\u00a0<\/span>\n\nEt vu l\u2019absence de mat\u00e9riel de D\u00e9tection de victimes en avalanche (DVA) de la plupart des derni\u00e8res victimes, il n\u2019est pas idiot non plus de rappeler qu\u2019il est indispensable de porter un DVA. Si le syst\u00e8me de r\u00e9flection Recco permet d\u2019\u00eatre d\u00e9tect\u00e9 par les pisteurs ou secouristes, il n\u2019est d\u2019aucune utilit\u00e9 pour vos compagnons de ski qui sont pourtant les premiers \u00e0 pouvoir vous sortir d\u2019un ensevelissement. Seul le DVA peut permettre de vous retrouver \u00e0 temps. Rappelons aussi que pass\u00e9es les 15 premi\u00e8res minutes sous la neige, les chances de survie d\u00e9gringolent.\u00a0<\/span>\n\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial quote_icon_color=\"#000000\" quote_icon_background_color=\"#ffffff\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" body_font=\"Oswald|700||on|||||\" body_text_align=\"center\" body_text_color=\"#000000\" body_font_size=\"30\" use_background_color=\"off\" custom_margin=\"50px||||false|false\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\nla meilleure mani\u00e8re de se sortir d\u2019une avalanche\nreste de ne pas la d\u00e9clencher\n\n[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.16\" max_width=\"800px\" module_alignment=\"center\" custom_margin_tablet=\"\" custom_margin_phone=\"\" custom_margin_last_edited=\"on|phone\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font_size=\"18px\" z_index_tablet=\"500\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\nEnfin, la meilleure mani\u00e8re de se sortir d\u2019une avalanche reste de ne pas la d\u00e9clencher. Personne n\u2019est \u00e0 l\u2019abri, mais en combinant l\u2019ensemble des mesures de pr\u00e9vention, le risque peut \u00eatre diminu\u00e9 significativement. N\u2019h\u00e9sitez pas \u00e0 jeter un oeil \u00e0 nos nombreux articles traitant du sujet (ici<\/a>).\n\nVous m\u2019excuserez pour ces rappels qui vous paraitront peut-\u00eatre bateau. C\u2019est juste que s\u2019il faut pour une fois enfoncer quelques portes ouverte pour garder nos lecteurs, alors j'y vais franchement.\n\nPrenez soin et qu\u2019on n'entende pas parler de vous.\u00a0<\/span>\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16,24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-295396","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-editorial","category-skiing"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/295396","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=295396"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/295396\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":295402,"href":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/295396\/revisions\/295402"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/295397"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=295396"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=295396"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=295396"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}