Attention, ski tourers! ÖAV warns of hidden dangers in the Alps

Attention, ski tourers! ÖAV warns of hidden dangers in the Alps

The Austrian Alpine Club (ÖAV) warns urgently about the underestimated dangers for ski tourers and off-piste skiers in alpine terrain. According to a recent analysis based on ten years of statistics from the Austrian Board of Alpine Safety, a third of deaths in this area result from falls and crashes. However, two thirds of deaths are caused by avalanche accidents. The fact that mountain athletes often focus on the danger of avalanches leads to other risks, such as falling off-road, being neglected. These risks are particularly accentuated in the last few meters to a summit and can have fatal consequences if mountaineers are not appropriately prepared. A low avalanche warning level can also provide a false sense of security, as the Alpenverein reports.

To counteract the dangerous circumstances, experts recommend using crampons and crampons early on and preparing for the cold on ski tours. A multifunctional bivouac bag and a rescue blanket should also be part of your personal equipment so that you can react correctly and in a timely manner in an emergency.

Accident statistics and research

The annual accident research conducted by the Austrian Board of Trustees for Alpine Safety provides comprehensive data on the accident situation in the Austrian mountains. Every year, more than 8,000 alpine accidents are recorded in an anonymized database that is used for accident research and prevention work. The statistics cover a period from November 1st to October 31st of the following year to reflect a full winter season. Entries in the database can be made subsequently, which can lead to certain deviations in query times. All alpine accidents in which the Alpine police are involved are recorded, including fatal accidents and those where third-party negligence is suspected, as Alpine Security describes.

In the 2023/24 winter season, a total of 106 alpine deaths and 5,173 injuries were recorded. Compared to the 10-year average, these numbers are slightly higher, with the most common causes of accidents being collisions (60%) and falls and slips (16%). What is particularly striking is that around 30% of the people involved in an accident make an emergency call without being injured, often due to blockages in the area. The most common accident location is the Tyrolean mountains, where 45% of accidents and 29% of deaths occur.

About the dangers of avalanches and weather conditions

The weather also plays a crucial role in the current season. ÖKAS President Peter Paal emphasizes that the winter is considered the warmest since weather records, which brings new challenges for winter tourism. In recent years, the number of Alpine accidents has fluctuated, with a decline recorded during the Covid-19 pandemic in the 2020/21 winter season. Despite the assumed safety, the actual danger for mountain athletes can change dramatically, which underlines the importance of conscious and informed behavior.

The annual statistics also provide information about the gender distribution of victims. Last year, 86 men and 19 women died in alpine accidents, which illustrates the unequal distribution within the affected groups. The data therefore offers valuable information for prevention work and underlines the need for qualified training and equipment in mountain sports.