I love to ski. It is my passion and I want to continue to improve. Recently, on a ski vacation to the Colorado Rocky Mountains, I discovered that my abilities were not limiting me to “Ohio skier” terrain. After seeing the marked off terrain, I thought about what it would be like to duck the ropes and ski the untouched powder. I imagined the exhilaration, empowerment, and satisfaction that backcountry skiing can bring. I wanted to make backcountry skiing a reality but I needed to learn more.

I began my search for answers with the understanding that finding an expert in backcountry skiing in northeast Ohio would be difficult. Thankfully, my Dad knew a woman who has a brother that was about to be in a magazine from a backcountry skiing action photo shoot.

That expert is a man named Steve Koch. He grew up in Akron, but he then attended Colorado University from 1981 to 1985. Koch now lives in Bend, Oregon where he can backcountry ski without traveling much distance.

Koch became interested in backcountry skiing after hearing stories about backcountry experiences from friends. He also saw the tracks of skiers in the backcountry, read about backcountry skiing in magazines, and saw backcountry skiing in movies. Koch then took his first backcountry ski trip in 1991 through the Wallowa Mountains in eastern Oregon. It was clear that it was his passion when he explained, “In the 20 years since then, I have spent hundreds of days backcountry skiing including many [backcountry] trips throughout British Columbia, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, California, and Colorado.”

I asked Koch about tools and items that a skier should take into the backcountry. He recommended alpine touring or telemarking skis, a backpack, an avalanche transceiver, a shovel, a probe, and a first aid kit. He also mentioned climbing skins which are used to make hiking and flat traverse less vigorous. Another thing Koch advised was a bivy bag for protection against the elements in case of an emergency. Koch warned me that, “Most important of all is to have some knowledge about snow safety issues and a respect for the risks involved in the sport.”

Up until then I had thought that I might just need to buy some equipment in order to cross the boundary line, but now there was a lot more to learn about safety. Koch told me that “route selection,” choosing correct climbing and skiing lines, is the best way to stay safe. One must select a path based on snow conditions and snow analysis. He also explained that a person must be rational enough to choose not to ski in order to be safe.

Next, I found an article by Bruce Edgerly, Vice President of Back country Access, Inc. and Paul Baugher of Northwest Avalanche Institute and Crystal Mountain Ski Patrol. The authors discussed the pros and cons of the newest methods of avalanche safety. They point out that although avalanche rescue methods have improved, skiers fail take the necessary precautions to prevent avalanches to the degree that they did before the technological improvements. According to Edgerly and Baugher the task of thoroughly educating all individuals about the skills necessary to prevent avalanches is far less daunting than the development of a technology that will save everyone in an avalanche. This includes education about “skills and tools for planning, communication, and group management.” (1)

Because skiers are descending at a greater magnitude they have less ability to communicate without the use of specific, modern technology. By using cell phones skiers think they are in direct contact with each other. In reality they run the risk of not having coverage, running out of battery due to cold temperatures, and inaccessible phone storage in backpacks or pockets. People also think they will be able to be found because of the GPS on their phones, but they are likely to be out of range when buried in snow. Edgerly and Baugher point out, ironically, sticking to older methods such as two-way radios and proper planning tend to be safer than relying on cell phones. The authors conclude that, “prevention of rescues altogether requires a fully proactive strategy that addresses the most common sources of avalanche accidents: human factors. While clear communication and group management are essential human skills that are increasingly being taught in recreational avalanche courses, technical solutions should be used when good partnering skills fail. These should include tour planning tools, mapping applications, and real-time communication devices such as two-way radios.” (3)

Soon, my mom recalled reading an article in Outside magazine about an avalanche in Washington. The article, “Tunnel Vision”, was written by Megan Michelson. Michelson is the Freeskiing Editor at ESPN.com and survived an avalanche in the back country of Stevens Pass in the Cascade Mountains, Washington. Michelson explains that there is a new movement which encourages good decision making based on terrain, human factors, and conditions. She claimed that the skier should choose a route with terrain that best accommodates the skier’s ability. Also, she stated that skiers should ski for their own desire, not because of peer pressure. She reminds experts to note that risk remains despite their knowledge and experience as they consider the human factors in their decision making. This confirms Steve Koch’s advice to have the common sense to say no when risks are too high. Finally, one should observe the weather in order to determine if the conditions are safe enough to ski.


Sam Low
Works Cited
Edgerly, Bruce, and Paul Baugher. "TALKING THE TALK: Human Factors, Group Communication, and the Next Frontier in Snow Safety." (n.d.): n. pag. Backcountry Access I Avalanche Rescue and Snow Safety Equipment Avalanche Beacons Transceivers ABS Avalanche Airbags Avalanche Shovels and Probes Avalanche Research and Papers Comments. Web. 16 May 2013. <http://www.backcountryaccess.com/education-research/avi-research-and-papers/>.
Koch, Steve. "Backcountry Skiing Information." Message to the author. 14 May 2013. E-mail.
Michelson, Megan. "Tunnel Vision." Outdoor Nov. 2012: 72-79. Print.