While deep snow is reportedly good for business at ski resorts, there was a downside to it. The Kirkwood Mountain Resort reported the 500 inches of annual snowfall and high base elevation make for some of the deepest, driest powder conditions in the Sierra. This is good for skiing, but it can create a dangerous situation – namely avalanches.
This season the resort purchased a fleet of 42 Backcountry Access Float 30 avalanche airbags and Tracker 2 beacons for use by the ski patrol. These products actually improve the survival rates for those unfortunate enough to be caught in avalanche conditions. The technology is still in its infancy, and it is a physical, not electronic, weapon against the avalanche burials.
The concept of the Float 30 is simple: if caught in an avalanche, pull the t-grip and a 150-liter airbag deploys out of the backpack and essentially “floats” the skier, now with increased mass, to the top of the slough as smaller debris fills in underneath. This decreases odds of a full burial and response time of potential rescuers due to increased visibility. BCA reports that in 98% of the recorded Float 30 deployments, the avalanche victims survived.
“Kirkwood chose the Tracker2 avalanche beacon because of its ease-of-use and robust design,” said Kirkwood’s Snow Safety Manager, Rick Newberry. “And we went with the Float 30 for three reasons: avalanche airbag technology is proven to prevent burial, the compressed air cylinders are fast and easy to refill and they’re affordable when compared to other models available.”
Kirkwood has announced that it will offer resort-based, progressive skills clinics, avalanche preparedness courses and guide services. In addition to basic, one day backcountry awareness courses, E:K partners with AIARE (American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education) to offer multi-day Level 1 and Level 2 avalanche certification courses. While not a substitute for good judgment, these courses provide classroom instruction and the opportunity to apply the skills on the hill under the watchful eye of an expert instructor.
Kirkwood will also incorporate the Float 30 into its backcountry and in-bounds tours. The Float 30, Tracker 2 beacon and other backcountry essentials are available for purchase at Kirkwood Mountain Sports and demo through Expedition: Kirkwood Outfitters.