Mountain Life
  • Daily Content
    • Trips & Expeditions
    • Climbing
    • Mountain Biking
    • Mountain Lifer
    • Multiplicity
    • On The Trail
    • Paddling
    • Photography
    • Skiing
    • Snowboarding
    • Stay & Play
    • Surfing
    • The Great Outdoors
    • The ML Interview
    • Travel
  • GEAR
  • VIDEOS
  • STORE
  • Magazines
    • ML Coast Mountains
    • ML Rocky Mountains
    • Vie En Montagne
    • ML Blue Mountains
    • ML Annual
    • ML Subscriptions
  • ABOUT
    • What is ML?
    • Our Team
    • Newsletter
    • Adventure Grant
    • Distribution
  • Podcast
  • Contests
  • CONTACT
    • ML Agency
    • Advertising
    • Contribute
Subscription Form

Get notified of the best News

Social Links
Instagram 22K Followers
Facebook 25K Likes
Twitter 5K Followers
Pinterest 1K Followers
Vimeo 34 Followers
LinkedIn 0
22K Followers
25K Likes
5K Followers
1K Followers
Mountain Life
Mountain Life
  • Daily Content
    • Trips & Expeditions
    • Climbing
    • Mountain Biking
    • Mountain Lifer
    • Multiplicity
    • On The Trail
    • Paddling
    • Photography
    • Skiing
    • Snowboarding
    • Stay & Play
    • Surfing
    • The Great Outdoors
    • The ML Interview
    • Travel
  • GEAR
  • VIDEOS
  • STORE
  • Magazines
    • ML Coast Mountains
    • ML Rocky Mountains
    • Vie En Montagne
    • ML Blue Mountains
    • ML Annual
    • ML Subscriptions
  • ABOUT
    • What is ML?
    • Our Team
    • Newsletter
    • Adventure Grant
    • Distribution
  • Podcast
  • Contests
  • CONTACT
    • ML Agency
    • Advertising
    • Contribute
  • The Great Outdoors

What Can We Learn From The Inbounds Avalanche At Taos?

  • January 23, 2019
  • Ben Osborne
Total
1
Shares
1
0
0
0
0
0
Total
1
Shares
Share 1
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0
Screen Shot 2019 01 22 at 2.16.55 PM
The scene from the slide at Taos Ski Valley. Photo: Morgan Timms/ Taos News

A few days ago in Taos, New Mexico, an inbounds slide took the life of two skiers who were buried and subsequently dug out when a large avalanche occurred on the popular K3 Chute off Kachina Peak. Even with an immediate response by Taos Ski Valley patrol the skiers were still trapped for 22 minutes, which is no small feat considering the slide was so deep in some areas that probes were unable to reach the bottom of the debris.

The loss is devastating and not enough can be said to console the families of the victims. Instances like this remind us just how dangerous the sport of skiing in general is, and more specifically should serve as a reminder to the inherent risks of skiing on the resort. The full details of this incident are yet to emerge, but let’s be clear: in no way are we suggesting the skiers, ski patrol, or mountain staff could have done anything to avoid this. But, a tragic accident like this comes with many lessons: one of them being a stark reminder of the dangers of inbounds skiing. So, we put together a small list of tips to help mitigate risk and prepare yourself for the worst when stepping off the groomed runs of the resort.

Always Wear An Avalanche Beacon Inbounds

There is a laundry list of excuses not to, but they are about as valid as your reasoning for not wanting to wake up early for a backcountry mission on a Sunday morning, or go out for a beer on Friday night. Sure, it’s a slight inconvenience, but the payoff could be huge—they can be used in the event of an inbound slide, a cornice failure, a tree-well mishap, or falling into an unexpected hole on the mountain. Worst case scenario, you peel your jacket off at the bar next to that cute guy/girl you’ve had your eyes on, they see you have a beacon on, and the conversation is sparked. Safety is sexy, folks.

Hell, Bring Your Full Avy Kit!

If you have the gear, why not bring it? Riding with a small pack with a beacon, shovel, and probe could make a rescue a whole lot easier and save a life. Plus, you can throw a beer or two in there and be the coolest guy in your crew on the last chairlift ride of the day.

Pay Attention—Inbounds Skiing And Riding Is Gnarly

If you’re are avid backcountry skier, often times the knife that is our decision making and awareness can be dulled when spending time inbounds. As you hear bombs going off all morning, you are subconsciously lulled into assuming every slope is stable, and there are no reasons to worry.

While ski patrol crews all over the world do an amazing job of mitigating the dangers of skiing and riding in terrain that you likely would never touch if it was in the backcountry, there are still dangers. Not every terrain trap and pocket of snow can be controlled with 100% confidence. Mother nature has her own way of operating, and no matter where you are, respect it.

Choose Your Crew Wisely

No differently than in the backcountry, choose your crew that you ride with on the mountain based on skill level, trust, and experience. If it is a storm day and you want to hammer out some laps, ride with those who know the mountain well and are on the same schedule. Don’t try to push your less experienced friends into terrain they aren’t comfortable with, and then get upset because you are stuck waiting for them all day. You’re not doing yourself, or your friends any favours.

There is a time and place to ride with people you don’t usually ride with, but when you’re pushing it, ditch your friends on the groomed runs—if they are mad at you about that, they have a thing or two to learn about the mountains.

Slow Is Smooth, Smooth Is Fast

When you are prepared, practiced, and surrounded by the right people, decision making comes easily and riding pow doesn’t need to be a mad dash. Everyone knows the saying “no friends on a pow day” is effectively dead.

Get the knowledge, find your crew, and keep your head on a swivel—anything can happen out there, especially If you are pushing it to the limit. While Taos Ski Valley is committed to doing a “diligent and exhaustive review” to the cause of the slide, you too should look at how you treat the ski resort you spend most of your time at—and remember to not let your guard down.

 

 

 

 

 

Total
1
Shares
Share 1
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0
Related Topics
  • avalanche
  • Big Mountain
  • mountains
  • powder
  • Safety
  • snow
  • Taos Ski Valley
Ben Osborne

Previous Article
Kees and Claire
  • The Great Outdoors
  • Skiing

The Kees And Claire Hut – Creating A Legacy From Mountain Love, Life and Loss  

  • January 18, 2019
  • Bradford McArthur
View Post
Next Article
Group of skiers in the 60's
  • Skiing

Steep Powder Skiing in Kitsilano, Downtown Vancouver?

  • January 24, 2019
  • Bradford McArthur
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • On The Trail
  • The Great Outdoors

Helly Hansen Presents: Adventure Planning 101 with Squamish SAR

  • Sarah Bulford
  • May 16, 2022
View Post
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • The Great Outdoors

Blower Pow and Disappearing Pants

  • Sarah Bulford
  • April 26, 2022
View Post
  • In This Issue
  • The Great Outdoors

ML Launches Mushroom Life

  • Sarah Bulford
  • April 1, 2022
View Post
  • Leslie Anthony
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • Stay & Play
  • The Great Outdoors

Spring at Sun Peaks

  • Sarah Bulford
  • March 8, 2022
View Post
  • Mountain Lifer
  • The Great Outdoors

Backcountry Skier John Baldwin Headlines VIMFF’s 2022 Best of British Columbia Night

  • Sarah Bulford
  • February 22, 2022
View Post
  • FALL GEAR
  • SPRING GEAR
  • THE GEAR SHED
  • The Great Outdoors
  • WINTER GEAR

The Legend of San Poncho

  • Editor
  • December 9, 2021
735990496 1280x720
View Post
  • The Great Outdoors
  • Videos

Friday Flick: Island of Plenty

  • Sarah Bulford
  • July 2, 2021
View Post
  • On The Trail
  • The Great Outdoors

Win Adventures to the Filming Location of the HISTORY® Channel’s “Alone” Season 8!

  • Sarah Bulford
  • June 8, 2021
Featured Posts
  • Mustang-Survival-WOMENS-HELIX-CCS 1
    Gear Shed: Our End-of-Winter Picks
    • March 23, 2023
  • natural-selection-Redbull 2
    Friday Flick: Natural Selection Tour Highlights
    • March 17, 2023
  • Powder-Highway-BC-ski 3
    Powder Highway Revisited
    • March 21, 2023
  • AleTrailsSouthernInterior_Vernon_MikeGamble_LookoutTrail_BenHaggarPhoto 4
    Ale Trails: Southern Interior Part 1, Vernon + Shuswap
    • March 20, 2023
  • Bora-Boreal-Quebec-winter-cabin-stars 5
    Bora Boréal: Frozen in Time and Ice
    • March 14, 2023
RECENT POSTS
  • Elements-Outfitters-Filson-cabin
    Elements Outfitters Partners with SALTS to Protect Alberta’s Incredible Landscapes
    • March 16, 2023
  • Uncertainty-mountains-Rockies
    Facing Uncertainty: The Role of Chance in Mountain Adventures
    • March 13, 2023
  • The-High-Route-Kaytlyn-Gerbin-Jenny-Abegg-North-Cascades-High-Route-glacier-hiking
    Friday Flick: Alpine Ultra-Run Sufferfest
    • March 10, 2023
Social Links
Instagram 22K Followers
Facebook 25K Likes
Twitter 5K Followers
Pinterest 1K Followers
Vimeo 34 Followers
LinkedIn 0
INSTAGRAM
mountainlifemedia
22K Followers
From The Gear Shed: Last Monday was the official start of spring, but we know there’s still some winter to be shredded. So ML staff and partners have picked the latest jackets, lanterns, bindings, mugs and drysuits for winter-spring.
Exploring the sights around beautiful Sutton, Quebec with ML creator @adv_bird ❄️🫶
Back on the road with three generations, dancing lifties, best-on-planet pizza and elusive-but-exquisite pow days.
Live It Up EP 24 is out now!
The Southern Interior region of BC holds an ecological cross-section of the province with alpine meadows, arid Douglas fir grasslands, damp cedar and hemlock forests of the Columbia Mountains and the warm expanse of Shuswap Lake.
Do Not Disturb mode activated ✅ #mountainlifer
Conceived by superhuman snowboarder @travisrice, the @naturalselection Tour highlights earth’s premier riders, from big-mountain mavens to Olympians, all competing on the most stoketastic—and unpredictable—terrain known to humankind.
Built upon a shared desire to enjoy, respect, and advocate for Alberta’s incredible landscapes, it was a natural fit for @elementsoutfitters to work with a local conservation organization @saltslandtrust to highlight the province’s rugged beauty and outdoor apparel to match.
THE UNINVITED INVITATIONAL April 13-16 @woodwardtahoe 😱 $40,000 cash prize purse and a whole lotta spotlight on a group of riders whose time has finally come!! Presented by @jess.kimura and @thenorthface and supported by @yeti @capitasupercorp @slushthemagazine @unionbindingco @smithoptics @sunbum @coalheadwear @fattire 🫡 watch the finals in person Saturday April 15 and join the crew + @btbounds for a public ride day Sunday April 16 @borealmtn. Time to make some history!!! #linkinbio to learn more!
Close your eyes and, for a moment, imagine yourself deep in the polar regions aboard an expedition ship stuck in the ice. The white pack-ice is dazzling, and the immobile vessel seems frozen in time and space. That experience piques your curiosity, doesn't it? Without having to go all the way to Antarctica, you can experience these icy sensations 30 minutes from Quebec City in one of Bora Boréal 's two floating cottages.
Follow

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our newsletter

From The Gear Shed: Last Monday was the official start of spring, but we know there’s still some winter to be shredded. So ML staff and partners have picked the latest jackets, lanterns, bindings, mugs and drysuits for winter-spring.
Exploring the sights around beautiful Sutton, Quebec with ML creator @adv_bird ❄️🫶
Back on the road with three generations, dancing lifties, best-on-planet pizza and elusive-but-exquisite pow days.
Live It Up EP 24 is out now!
The Southern Interior region of BC holds an ecological cross-section of the province with alpine meadows, arid Douglas fir grasslands, damp cedar and hemlock forests of the Columbia Mountains and the warm expanse of Shuswap Lake.
Do Not Disturb mode activated ✅ #mountainlifer
Mountain Life
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Advertising

Input your search keywords and press Enter.