Archived News - 2011

Archived Avalanche News Stories - 2011

December 26, 2011 - Avalanches no problem for Sochi Alpine events

Organizers of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics have greatly reduced the risk of avalanches that could have jeopardized the Alpine skiing events. They have installed 30 extra anti-avalanche devices (gasex). Last February, the Organizers were forced to shorten the men's downhill, part of the Europa Cup event, because of the risk of avalanches -- a common problem in the high Caucasus mountains that surround the Black Sea. More ...

December 21, 2011 - Dog who triggered avalanche is reunited

Jason, a two-year-old cross-breed, was running through the snow near Ben Nevis in the Scottish Highlands, when he plunged over a ridge. His owners watched in horror as he triggered a small avalanche in which he was swept down the mountain. But with flawless execution, Jason was saved and reunited with his owners. More ...

December 9, 2011 - Avalanche victim's parents to sue ski resort

The father of a six-year-old Spanish boy who died on Wednesday in the Swiss Alps is claiming his son's death was caused by serious negligence. The man had planned to spend some days skiing with his wife and child in Saas-Fee, but what was intended as a pleasant winter break ended in tragedy. More ...

October 10, 2011 -3 months suspended sentence for forgetting beacon

An Austrian ski tourer has received a three month [suspended] prison sentence for the manslaughter of his wife. The case centered around the use of avalanche beacons. According to the Salzburg court he was touring with his supposedly inexperienced wife with their beacons switched off and in their rucksacks. More ...

March 11, 2011 - Avalanche is Whiteface’s second this winter

Whiteface Mountain had its second avalanche of the season earlier this week. Officials said this most recent avalanche occurred Tuesday morning and was triggered by one or more skiers who entered the Slides area from Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway. The Slides are a backcountry area of the mountain not accessible by chairlifts. More ...

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