Fatalities Associated with Ski Touring and Freeriding: A Retrospective Analysis from 2001 – 2019

Winter sports off the marked slopes are becoming more popular. All in uncontrolled and mountainous terrain combined with risks claim fatalities every year. This study investigates circumstances, causes epidemiological aspects of two most common winter outside prepared slopes. retrospective deals off-slope reported to authorities Canton Berne, Switzerland, between 2001 2019. The cases were examined for various parameters statistically evaluated. Ski touring was compared freeriding. Fifty-nine examined. male/female ratio 4/1. Freeriders significantly younger than ski tourers when they died (27 ± 9 y vs. 39 15 y, P = 0.005). In 8 cause death classified as natural, 51 an accident reason fatality. frequent incident avalanche (63% all cases). had lacks their equipment (86 50%, 0.013). Our results indicate that fatally injured freeriders younger, less equipped skiing backcountry. Prevention programs should therefore focus on young unexperienced who decide leave slope areas without any preparations. • fatal incidents, tour carefully inadequate tourers. Most athletes die avalanches. might be best targeted at spontaneously away from