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Snowboarder Luca Zanette posted this video on his social media accounts on February 10 with trepidation. He wrote in the caption that he didn’t want the media to pick it up and run with it in ways he didn’t approve. But he felt compelled to share it because the avalanche that swept him away on Roccabella in the Swiss Alps was completely unexpected. It came out of nowhere, he said.
“As you’ve seen in other reports, a state of ice crystals formed the basis of the last heavy snowfall,” as translated from his social post. “Even on slopes that have no wind and have seemingly perfect dust, large avalanches can be triggered as the single skier passes. This happened on Saturday when we climbed without much visibility to the top of Roccabella, following the existing tracks. Once on top, I personally sinned with too much confidence, pulling off the biggest (mistake) of my life. Thanks to the airbag I floated and landed on the conoid totally unharmed, with my whole body out of the snow mantle, then securing myself in autonomy, but had I not had it, I would definitely have stayed in the snow waiting for my friends (who were all ready to go).”
The takeaway? Even if you’re prepared, accidents occur. Have friends that know what they’re doing and use every precaution. Because fun can turn to tragedy in an instant.
Editor’s Note: Interested in safely riding untracked powder in the backcountry? There’s a lot to learn. In his introductory course, Nick Russell’s Guide to Backcountry Basics, big mountain snowboarder Nick Russell shares a lifetime of knowledge and information essential to begin your journey in the backcountry.
