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PowderPeople | Martin Engler

Deep snow addiction factor - Interview with the Allgäu avalanche expert

by Roland Wiedemann • 02/26/2009
What goes on in an expert's mind when skiers or snowboarders ski down 40-degree deep snow slopes at avalanche warning level four? Martin Engler: It leaves me breathless at first. Last week, I was out touring on the Riedbergerhorn and saw people with binoculars at FellbĂĽhl, an area above Riezlern that is popular with freeriders. It wasn't just a few individuals, but many. And that at warning level four. The slope is over 40 degrees steep at the top. I am clearly against the demonization of deep snow skiing and against bans. But when I see something like this, I shudder.

Freeriding, i.e. skiing in open terrain, is all the rage. This probably increases the risk of accidents like the one on Hochgrat on 18.2.09.

Martin Engler: There are indeed more and more good skiers who want to have fun off-piste. Technical ability has increased significantly. You can now speak of a real race. Everyone wants to be the first to ski untouched slopes. The snow is not given enough time to settle. If I wait a day or two until the conditions are safer, then there's a very good chance that I'll find tracked terrain.

I've noticed that ski tourers have kept a very low profile over the past few days. In stark contrast to the off-piste skiers. It is absolutely incomprehensible to outsiders how you can put your life in danger on a deep snow descent.

Martin Engler: The whole thing definitely has a high addiction factor, as I know from my own experience. The pleasure you get from skiing down fresh powder snow is huge, but the sacrifice is associated with a strong inner conflict.

I can tell you a thing or two about it. What do you recommend to people at risk of addiction?

Martin Engler: You have to consciously reduce your behavior. This is called risk management. It starts with the choice of ski resort. When conditions are precarious, as they often have been recently, I look for slopes that are not so steep and not so long. And it's important to ask whether the terrain is used regularly and a lot. The latter has a positive effect on the build-up of snow cover. There are slopes that are safe even at avalanche warning level four and where you can have fun.

Is there a basic rule for the gradient at which you should avoid slopes in certain conditions?

Martin Engler: People without in-depth avalanche knowledge can be given the following rule of thumb: At avalanche warning level three, you should refrain from skiing from 35 degrees, at warning level four the limit is 30 degrees. The problem is that many off-piste skiers are unable to assess the slope gradient. This needs to be practiced, for example with the Snowcard. Basically, you can say that there is often a lack of avalanche knowledge.

I sometimes get the impression that some skiers and snowboarders don't want to hear too much about the risks because it could spoil their fun. Time and again, even experienced skiers get caught in avalanches. Do you have an explanation for this?

Martin Engler: It seems that the skier who died on Hochgrat was also a skier who had been skiing a lot in open terrain. The more you ski on very steep slopes, the more willing you are to take risks. The more you ski there without anything happening, the safer you feel. You get used to the risk, so to speak. I have to admit that I've also done descents where I thought afterwards that it was beyond the pale. You then have to critically question your behavior and learn your lessons for the future.

About the person

Martin Engler is 46 years old and lives in Untermaiselstein near Immenstadt. The state-certified mountain and ski guide has been intensively involved with the topic of snow avalanches since his childhood and now passes on his knowledge in courses and lectures. The father of two children is also a non-medical practitioner specializing in psychology. Engler has been working on decision-making strategies for behavior in alpine terrain for many years. In this context, he developed the so-called Snowcard and wrote the book "The White Danger". The latter is one of the standard works of avalanche science.

The questions were asked by Roland Wiedemann from the Allgäuer Zeitung

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