There have been 7 avalanche fatalities to date in 7 incidents. 5 of them off piste skiing or snowboarding, 1 on snowshoes and 1 ski touring. At the same point last year there had been zero fatalities. Where a bulletin was available the incidents occured at risk levels 3 and 4. Both these levels should be considered as a real danger of skier triggered avalanches and there is a problem of either information or perception of risk by winter sports enthusiasts, particularly amongst off piste skiers and snowboarders.
