'Extreme care' advised for winter travel
Mon, 06 Mar 2006
Holidaymakers planning a spot of winter travel this year are being advised to be extra careful due to the increase in avalanches throughout Europe.
Many skiing resorts are already on avalanche alert and the recent tragedy in Cuneo, Italy has highlighted the need for people to be aware of the dangers.
Statistics suggest that this winter could already be one of the worst on record for the French Alps – so far 39 people have died on the slopes, compared to 25 over the whole of last year's season. However, it is unclear why there has been a rise in the number of avalanche incidents.
Some experts believe that it could be a combination of sharp temperature variations and the increase in skiers travelling into off-piste snow.
Felix Tanguay from the Verbier-based specialist off piste ski school, Powder Extreme, speaking to the BBC, blamed the growing number of skiers who fail to realise they are not yet capable of skiing away from the main runs.
"It is crazy the number of people that head into deep powder snow without the necessary knowledge to know what is safe and what is not," said Mr Tanguay.
He added: "It's fashionable to wear helmets and have all the safety equipment but many people never practise and in some ways it gives them a false sense of security."
Anyone planning to travel to the European slopes for off-piste skiing is being encouraged to ensure they are aware of mountain safety and the risks involved. 
© Adfero Ltd
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