VDBS Event | Alpine Hazards Beyond Avalanches

We meet at the valley station, catch the last lift, quickly check our gear, and head up into the wintry Stubai Glacier ski area. Heavy snowfall has set in, covering the still-autumnal landscape in a fresh blanket of white.

At the Dresdner Hütte, we’re welcomed by Florian Hellberg and Viola Goldhofer. Both are mountain guides and will be accompanying us through the mountains over the next few days. But first, we kick things off with a presentation on the latest accident statistics.

Avalanches dominate the headlines, …

…but they’re far from the only danger!

The accident statistics reveal just how diverse the risks can be. Between 1 November 2023 and 31 October 2024, 28 people died while ski touring in Austria. Cardiovascular problems were responsible for 13 of these fatalities, while eight people lost their lives in avalanches. Four died in falls or after plunging into the terrain, two in cornice collapses, and one as a result of a sudden change in weather.

In the period under review, cardiovascular problems claimed more lives during ski tours than avalanches.

The avalanche-prone winter of 2024/25 makes these figures all the more interesting. If you’d like to dive into the numbers yourself — and enjoy browsing colourful charts — I can highly recommend the ÖKAS analyse reports. They examine accident statistics from previous years in Austria, covering both summer and winter, and break them down by activity. You can find the latest edition here: ÖKAS “analyse” brochures.

Accident Prevention

For the VDBS, accident prevention remains a top priority. Many emergencies in the mountains can be avoided through careful planning, a willingness to turn back, and sound judgement.

Florian is keen to highlight the work of his colleagues and the mountain schools. There are plenty of opportunities to build on your knowledge and skills through courses and individual training with experienced professionals. Collaboration with safety researchers is another important part of the effort to make mountaineering safer.

Gear for Tomorrow’s Tour

Before we call it a day, Florian shows us what he’ll be packing for tomorrow’s tour. With cold temperatures in the forecast, a down jacket and a spare pair of gloves are essential. He’ll also bring a warm drink and a bivy sack, just in case. As a mountain guide, he carries a second avalanche transceiver, too, in case one of the group’s devices malfunctions.

Ski Touring in Harsh Conditions

The next morning, the mountain greets us wrapped in white. A fresh dusting of snow has fallen, and after an avalanche beacon check at the hut, we finally set off into the backcountry. Using the lifts to gain some elevation, we make our way through the Stubai Glacier ski area. A strong, icy wind whistles past our ears, and visibility remains extremely limited for most of the day.

Treacherous rocks lurk beneath the snow here and there, so we pick our way carefully around them. Long group discussions about individual slopes are a lot less appealing in these conditions than they are on a sunny day. Nevertheless, Viola shares some valuable tips on assessing the avalanche situation when the weather refuses to play along. In conditions like these, it’s essential to ski defensively — and, when visibility gets too poor, sometimes to skip the run altogether.

Conclusion of the day:

It’s often the combination of challenging conditions — such as a whiteout and extreme cold — that can turn even a minor mistake into a serious emergency. Ultimately, it’s up to us to prepare for potential dangers, recognise risks, and make the right decisions.

After an informative weekend, we head back down to the valley, satisfied and in one piece. But one final challenge awaits: digging out the car! Then it’s time for the long drive home along snow-covered roads. I have no intention of becoming part of the accident statistics, so I take it easy, cruising along at 80 km/h and enjoying the winter scenery.