SPOKANE, Wash. — Plenty of fresh snow is falling on the mountains and many families are planning to hit the slopes this weekend. But that fresh snow can create hazards that can be extremely dangerous, even for experienced riders.
There’s already been a handful of skiing and snowboarding accidents this winter. In order to stay safe, there are a few steps you can take.
It all starts with making sure you have the proper gear and making sure you’re prepared to go skiing or snowboarding.
Local ski shops like Solnix in Spokane have all kinds of gear with safety equipment already built in. These include jackets with whistles to get the attention of ski patrol or other riders in case of an emergency.
Solnix also sells a beacon that can track your location so other people know where to find you in case you get lost.
When you’re heading up the mountain, going with someone else is always a good idea.
“If you’re unsure, not exactly knowing where to go, talking to a lifty, ski patrol, a mountain host, they will give you an amazing rundown of what you should do and what not to do,” said Rome Deakins, the sales lead at Solnix.
The heavy snow in our area so far this winter is also creating tree wells, which are caused by low branches preventing snow from settling around the trunk. Those tree wells act like sinkholes and can trap people inside.
It’s one reason why it’s important for someone to know where you are anytime you’re skiing or snowboarding.
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