SILVER VALLEY, Idaho – Snow has finally arrived in the Inland Northwest after a mild winter, but avalanche experts warn the conditions are dangerous.
For many skiers and snowboarders, the backcountry landscape buried in fresh snow near Lookout Pass feels like a gift from Mother Nature, but snow experts also see something else.
“We’re seeing very large avalanches, like, no triggered avalanches is small right now. They’re all big enough to injure, bury, or kill a person,” said Izzy Davis, a forecaster with the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center.
Davis says her organization has seen more skier-triggered avalanches over the last four days than they have throughout the whole snow season.
“All it takes is a skier being on or near a 30-degree slope to trigger those avalanches,” Davis said.
If you are skiing groomers at Lookout Pass, you likely have nothing to worry about. However, once you get into the backcountry, the resort has put out extra information about things you have to be aware of when skiing in the area.
“If you are not careful, you can trigger an avalanche just by skiing across or boarding across something,” said John Batchelder, patrol director for Lookout Pass.
Batchelder leads the ski patrol team at Lookout Pass. His team gets calls from skiers who are lost or need help in the backcountry at least once a week. All the fresh snow from this week brings a new layer of concern.
“It can go so quickly,” Batchelder said referring to an avalanche starting.
The slopes that worry Batchelder are not hard to access, especially if you have a snowmobile. But bringing the right equipment is crucial – things like an avalanche beacon, a shovel and a whistle.
“Be prepared that if you get stuck, you might be there for a while. So having the knowledge and the ability to use your equipment correctly,” Batchelder said.
Both Batchelder and Davis say before heading to the backcountry to enjoy the new snow, you should have a rock-solid plan on how to be safe.
“Sticking to low angle open meadows is a great way to safely enjoy the new snow right now,” Davis said.
You can read more about the latest forecast, and how to stay safe here.
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