The most common myths about snow and avalanches
Number 6: "We are in the woods, there is no danger"
It is true, but not always true; it depends. Mainly, it depends on the density of the forest, the type of plants, and its position on the slope.
Let's see some conditions in more detail.
A dense forest of evergreen trees is generally safe for two reasons: first, being dense, it provides a good anchor to the snow cover; second, the evergreen tree branches hold part of the snowfall and let it fall little by little on the ground, mechanically compressing the underlying snow cover.
On the other hand, a less dense forest of larch trees, which lose their leaves during winter, does not provide much protection. Although skiing in this type of forest may be more enjoyable, an avalanche inside the forest cannot be completely excluded.
In addition to these two general concepts, we must also consider two other important aspects.
First of all, the effect that the forest can have on the action of the wind. The "wall" that the forest represents slows down the wind's action and can favor the deposition of transported snow, leading to the formation of slabs. This can happen both inside the forest, in clearings, and on the sides when the forest ends. So, be careful of these sometimes insidious aspects.
Also, when we leave the forest and enter open terrain, we must immediately observe what is above our heads. In the forest, it is impossible to see beyond and notice any potential danger.
Finally, statistically speaking, we know of people caught in avalanches in the forest or hit by the avalanche first and then dragged into the forest by the snow mass. In this case, in addition to the classic problems of burial in an avalanche, there are also risks of trauma caused by hitting the trees or the airbag breaking, if we have one and managed to activate it.
Remember that there are also many forests destroyed by avalanches! Of course, these disasters are generally due to large avalanches, often natural and not necessarily triggered, typical of situations of danger well highlighted by the avalanche bulletin.
In conclusion, the forest can be safe, but it still needs to be evaluated to be able to frequent it with tranquility. The too much security dictated by a false commonplace can always trap us.
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Ernesto Bassetti
Ernesto is one of the leading snow and avalanche experts in Italy and beyond.
By passion and by profession, he has been involved in mountain safety for over 40 years, with particular attention to the avalanche issue.
He is co-founder, and until 2020 Vice President, of MND Group; important international player in the field of mountain infrastructure and world leader in controlled avalanche release systems.
He is a ski instructor, National Ski Mountaineering Instructor, former director of the Mario Righini Ski Mountaineering School.
He was promoter, co-founder and soul of the "Servizio Valanghe Italiano" (Italian Avalanche Service), of which he held the Presidency for 18 years.
