Skier-Triggered Avalanches

Abstract

Skier triggering is one of the most frequent mechanism in releasing avalanches. This is due to the high effectiveness of skis in deforming of snow cover which properties are of great importance for the formation of avalanches. In the first part of this paper the causes of the formation of avalanches are described and the snow cover transformations induced by the movements of skiers are outlined. The example of two avalanches released by skiers in the Eastern Alps helps to evaluate the impact of skiers on the stability of snow on a slope, and that in the context of other “natural” factors. On the basis of the obtained findings, the conditions under which an avalanche may get released by the movements of skiers were evaluated.