Lapland
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Skiing safety in areas where snow avalanches may occurSkiing safety and avalanchesYour skiing safety is threstened every winter becuse of small and big snow avalalanches all over Lapland. It is therefore wise to locate your ski hikes to safe areas. Ask local people about safe areas! The most dangerous avalaches are the snow slab avalanches. With this type a whole mountain side may slip and start moving at a terrible and accelerating speed as it moves downhill. These slab avalanches mainly slip at leeward slopes with plenty of snow. Thus it's of utmost importance to stay away from smooth leeward slopes when there is a danger of avalanches. Even small leeward slopes may set off dangerous avalanches. For your skiing safety it is safest just to follow ridges and top of hills with little snow.Changing weatherA period with changing weather, combined with strong winds and heavy snowfalls, is dangerous. Then the avalanche danger increases at leeward slopes. Sudden changes to higher temperatures may release avalanches.If you're taken by an avalancheIf you suddenly find yourself in an avalanche, here are some points to remember:
When others are takenThe first few minutes are the most important ones. In this short span of time the chances of finding your friend alive is still great. Try to do these things as fast as possible:
ResourcesRead more about skiing safety and avalanche precaution at this excellent Swiss site.
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