Over than 300,000 British skiers are putting themselves at risk of being killed or injured by an avalanche this winter according to an avalanche safety expert. Henry Schniewind, an off-piste safety instructor based in upmarket ski resort of Val d’Isère has said that about a quarter of the 1.25 million British winter sports enthusiasts will venture outside of open and secured ski runs.
Many of these skiers and snowboarders are blissfully unaware that they entering into an unsecured area and running the risk of triggering an avalanche, putting both their own lives and those of others in danger. The warning comes as Henry’s Avalanche Talk (HAT), the French-based avalanche awareness and information specialist, prepares for the launch of its 2007-08 programme to bring its “Ride Hard, Ride Safe” message to British skiers in the Off Piste Adventure Zone at the Metro Ski & Snowboard Show. London Olympia 24-28 October.
Henry tells us that his team’s aim“is to increase awareness through entertaining audiovisual presentations - we want to show people how to have fun and be safe at the same time. Hopefully we can help save a few lives and still show people how to have a great time riding off-piste”. Henry and the HAT Team will be presenting live audiovisual talks at the show with a special First Public Viewing of their new DVD, “Avalanche & Off Piste Awareness”, produced in cooperation with BBC presenter Matt Chilton.