Tom Key Essential Mountain Rescue Tips for Safety
The mountains offer a sense of freedom and adventure unmatched by most environments. But this freedom comes with inherent risks, and when things go wrong in these remote, rugged landscapes, the stakes are often life and death. Whether skiing, snowboarding, or venturing into the backcountry, understanding what to do in an emergency is critical, not only for yourself but for others you may encounter in need.
The Reality of Mountain Accidents
The allure of skiing and snowboarding is growing every season, but with the rise in participation, we’ve also seen an increase in accidents and injuries. Every year, thousands of people experience serious injuries on the slopes or in the backcountry, and while many incidents are due to miscalculated jumps or falls, most can be prevented with proper preparation and training.
Statistically, ski resorts see over 30,000 injuries per year, with around 5% of these requiring hospital treatment. These incidents range from lower limb fractures to more severe spinal and head trauma, particularly in advanced and off-piste terrains. Tragically, some result in fatalities, often in backcountry areas where the unpredictable nature of avalanches, ice, and severe weather comes into play.
One recent incident in 2023 serves as a grim reminder of this risk. An experienced skier in Washington ventured into unmonitored backcountry terrain without checking avalanche conditions. A slab avalanche was triggered, burying him under several feet of snow. While he had a good deal of experience in the mountains, his lack of real-time weather and avalanche forecast awareness proved fatal. Search and rescue teams eventually recovered his body, underscoring how even seasoned adventurers can become victims of the mountain’s unpredictability.
Another incident in the French Alps involved a group of snowboarders who were caught in a whiteout while descending from a resort. With no GPS devices or emergency beacon, they quickly lost their bearings. While they were eventually found by rescue teams, two of the group members were suffering from severe hypothermia due to being exposed to the elements for too long. In both cases, more preparation and better equipment could have turned near-death situations into mere inconveniences.
Personal Experience: Why Gear Maintenance Matters
Years ago, while skiing the chutes at Alpine Meadows in California, I found myself in a situation that could have ended much worse than it did. I was skiing by myself (first mistake), and to make matters worse, I was using my older skis, which hadn’t been tuned in ages. The edges were dull, and I had yet to sharpen them for the season.
The conditions were icy, and as I began descending one of the steeper chutes, I hit a patch of ice. Immediately, I lost control and went down on my side, sliding rapidly toward the edge of a cliff that dropped off by at least 30 feet. I tried desperately to dig my skis into the ice to slow my momentum, but my dull edges couldn’t get any grip. I was helpless.
Luckily, I hit a cluster of exposed rocks—something you don’t often count as a blessing—that stopped me just in time. I was shaken but unhurt. That moment taught me a crucial lesson: keeping your gear in peak condition is about more than just comfort or speed; it’s about safety. A well-tuned pair of skis with sharp edges would have given me the control I needed to stop long before reaching the cliff’s edge. And had I been skiing with a partner, I would have had someone there to assist me if things had gone worse.
The Steps to Take When You or Someone Else Needs Help
1. Assess the Situation
The first rule in any emergency is to remain calm and assess your surroundings. Are you in immediate danger of avalanches, rockfalls, or worsening weather? If you’re in the backcountry or off-piste, consider secondary hazards like unstable snowpacks or severe weather shifts. If possible, move to a safer location before attempting any rescue efforts.
2. Signal for Help
Once you’ve assessed the situation and ensured you’re not in immediate danger, the next step is to signal for help. Most resorts have clearly marked emergency contact procedures, and ski patrol can typically be contacted quickly. In the backcountry, however, things are different. Communication devices like satellite phones, personal locator beacons (PLBs), or GPS-enabled devices (like Garmin inReach) are crucial for signaling rescue teams in remote areas where cell service is unavailable. Using these tools can mean the difference between being found in hours rather than days.
3. Administer First Aid
Basic first aid knowledge can make a huge difference in stabilizing an injured person until professional help arrives. Training in first aid, particularly Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification, is a huge asset. Simple actions like treating for hypothermia (covering the injured with insulation, administering warm liquids if conscious), splinting fractures, or stopping excessive bleeding are often enough to buy precious time. Many lives have been saved by people with even a rudimentary understanding of emergency care.
4. Stay Put If Necessary
In certain scenarios, like extreme weather or poor visibility, moving an injured person could increase the risk to both you and them. Sometimes the best course of action is to stay put, make yourself visible to rescuers (using reflective gear, flares, or even an emergency blanket), and wait for help to arrive.
Training for Mountain Safety
The best way to ensure you’re prepared for a mountain emergency is to get proper training. Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification is widely considered the gold standard for outdoor safety. WFR courses cover injury treatment, hypothermia management, and other critical backcountry survival techniques. The cost of a WFR course typically ranges from $715 to $2,000, depending on location and the course provider. It may seem steep, but when compared to the financial and emotional toll of a life-threatening situation, it’s a small investment.
Other specialized training is available for those who venture into technical terrain. Avalanche safety courses are offered at many major resorts and teach essential skills like beacon use, probing, and shovel techniques, as well as how to read avalanche conditions. The American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) Level 1 course, for example, is a fundamental class that all backcountry skiers and riders should take. It costs around $400 and equips participants with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions in avalanche terrain.
How Resorts Are Enhancing Safety
Recognizing the inherent risks of mountain sports, ski resorts across the world have begun adopting new technologies and offering mountain rescue safety tips to guests. For example, Aspen Snowmass has implemented a number of initiatives, including daily avalanche safety workshops, real-time weather updates via its mobile app, and even an app feature that allows skiers to be tracked by friends or family in case of separation or emergency.
Similarly, Jackson Hole has taken steps to improve in-resort safety by expanding avalanche forecasting efforts and installing automated avalanche detection systems that monitor high-risk areas. Their ski patrol teams are equipped with GPS-enabled devices and drones to help locate injured or lost skiers faster.
At resorts like Telluride and Whistler Blackcomb, ski schools now include safety workshops that go beyond basic skiing techniques, incorporating lessons on what to do in case of an avalanche or how to identify unstable snowpacks. These programs are designed to educate both beginner and experienced skiers about the realities of mountain safety.
Some resorts even offer specialty training in crevasse rescue and rope techniques for more advanced skiers and climbers. The American Alpine Institute, for example, runs a Technical Rope Rescue course, costing around $1,200, which teaches participants how to rescue themselves or others from technical terrain.
These measures show that safety awareness is becoming as integral to ski resorts as the thrill of the sport itself. Gone are the days when ski patrol was the sole line of defense; now, skiers and snowboarders are expected to take personal responsibility for their safety, armed with the knowledge and tools needed to survive.
The True Cost of an Injury Versus Preparation
The financial cost of mountain accidents can be astronomical, particularly in remote areas. A single helicopter rescue can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000 depending on the complexity and location of the operation. These costs often aren’t covered by health insurance, and in some cases, the bill is sent directly to the individual or their family.
Compare that to the $700 to $1,000 investment in a Wilderness First Responder course or the $400 cost of an avalanche safety class. Not only do these certifications provide life-saving knowledge, but they also offer peace of mind, knowing you’re prepared to handle emergencies in the mountains.
Keeping Your Gear in Peak Condition
As my near-miss at Alpine Meadows illustrates, equipment maintenance is vital for safe skiing and snowboarding. Keeping your skis or snowboard properly tuned, especially your edges, can make all the difference when navigating icy conditions or steep, technical terrain. Ski edges that are sharp enough to grip the snow can prevent you from sliding uncontrollably, as I experienced.
A basic ski or snowboard tune-up, including sharpening edges and waxing the base, costs around $30. Some shops even offer seasonal tune packages for $100 to $150. It’s a small price to pay for the control and confidence that comes with knowing your gear is in top shape.
Conclusion: A Call to Prepare, Not React
In mountain sports, the real risk isn’t just the terrain, the weather, or the adrenaline—it’s the gap between what we expect and what the mountains deliver. Too often, we head into these vast, wild environments with optimism but not enough preparation. And when accidents happen, the difference between life and death often boils down to the decisions we’ve made well before we strapped into our skis or snowboard.
The truth is, we can’t control the mountains. We can’t predict every snow condition or every patch of ice. But we can control how we prepare—our knowledge, our gear, our mindset. And that preparation isn’t just for us; it’s for the others we might encounter who need help.
Mountain safety isn’t a solo sport. It’s a collective responsibility, an invisible bond we share with everyone on the slopes and in the backcountry. Every bit of training, every piece of equipment, every decision to act with caution rather than carelessness—it all builds toward a community of adventurers who are ready for anything. We don’t need to fear the mountain, but we must respect it, and that respect starts with being prepared for the worst, even as we hope for the best.
Be proactive, not reactive. The mountains will always be there, but the opportunity to be fully prepared is something you choose—before the stakes are at their highest. Let’s make that choice, together.
FAQs
Q: What should I do if I see someone injured on the slopes?
A: If you witness an injury on the slopes, your first priority is to ensure both your safety and the injured person’s. Signal for help by contacting ski patrol (usually through a resort app, a posted emergency number, or flagging down another skier). Make sure to mark the area, so others are aware of the situation and avoid collisions. If you have first aid training, assess the person’s condition but avoid moving them unless they’re in immediate danger. If there’s any suspicion of a spinal injury, it’s crucial not to move the person until ski patrol arrives.
Q: What equipment should I always carry when skiing in the backcountry?
A: In the backcountry, always carry a transceiver, probe, and shovel—the essential tools for avalanche rescue. A GPS device, satellite phone, or personal locator beacon (PLB) is critical for communication when cell service is out of range. A basic first aid kit, multi-tool, extra layers, food, and water are also essential. Packing an avalanche airbag can provide extra protection in case of an avalanche. Before you venture out, ensure you know how to use all of this equipment correctly and check weather and avalanche conditions.
Q: Is avalanche safety training really necessary for skiing or snowboarding?
A: Absolutely. Even if you’re not a regular backcountry skier, avalanches can occur on off-piste terrain close to resorts, and understanding avalanche conditions is critical for your safety. Avalanche training courses, such as AIARE Level 1, teach you how to assess snow conditions, recognize avalanche-prone areas, and how to effectively use rescue equipment. This knowledge could save your life or the lives of your companions.
Q: How much does a rescue operation cost?
A: The cost of a mountain rescue can vary significantly depending on the location and complexity of the situation. Helicopter rescues can range anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000, and many insurance policies don’t cover these costs. It’s highly recommended to purchase specialized insurance, such as Ski Pass Insurance or Search and Rescue Insurance, which covers rescue expenses.
Q: What are some good first aid courses for backcountry skiers and snowboarders?
A: The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course is one of the best available, focusing on treating injuries and handling medical emergencies in remote locations. Another popular course is the Wilderness First Aid (WFA), which covers the basics but is less comprehensive. These courses typically range from $300 for WFA to $700–$1,000 for WFR. AIARE also offers avalanche rescue-specific training, which complements wilderness medical courses well.
Q: How can I avoid mountain accidents in the first place?
A: Preparation is key. Check weather and avalanche reports before heading out, and always ski or ride with a partner. Stay within your skill level, and don’t push beyond your comfort zone. Make sure your equipment is well-maintained and appropriate for the conditions. Learn how to recognize avalanche signs, stay on marked trails, and follow all resort safety guidelines. Additionally, taking courses in first aid, avalanche safety, and mountain rescue can equip you with the knowledge to handle dangerous situations effectively.
Q: What should I do if I get lost in the backcountry?
A: If you get lost, the first step is to remain calm and avoid making hasty decisions. If possible, try to retrace your steps to familiar landmarks. If conditions worsen or nightfall approaches, it’s often best to stay put rather than continue moving, as this helps rescuers locate you. Use your GPS or PLB to signal for help, and if you don’t have one, try to get to a higher elevation to increase cell reception. Make sure to stay warm, hydrated, and sheltered from the elements while waiting for help to arrive.
