Ski resorts are open, beware of inhaling powder snow into your mouth and nose! In severe cases, it can cause suffocation!

Science Times reporter epic

As winter approaches, skiing has become more popular after ski resorts in many parts of the country have opened. In the snow-covered "world", ski enthusiasts enjoy the fun to the fullest.

However, there is also a sad news. On December 23, a Chinese female tourist fell while skiing at Kagura Ski Resort in Japan and died of suffocation due to inhaling powder snow. While people feel sad and regretful, they can't help but wonder, what is powder snow? What should you pay attention to when skiing on powder snow? In this regard, the reporter of Popular Science Times interviewed relevant experts.

What is powder snow

According to reports, the Kagura Ski Resort where the incident occurred is one of the most popular ski resorts in central Japan, with a high altitude and a minimum temperature of around -10°C. The day before the incident, it had snowed overnight. The report also said that after the female tourist fell, snow entered her mouth and nose. Since this was an unopened ski slope, the new snow had not been cleared, so she encountered powder snow.

Yan Ziqi, a national referee of the World Snowboard Federation, told reporters that in addition to skiing on the regular snow trails at the ski resort, there is also an advanced way of playing, that is, skiing outside the snow trails, which is generally called "skiing on wild snow." The difference between the two lies mainly in the quality of the snow: the snow on the regular snow trails is basically pressed and flattened by a snow groomer, so the density of this snow is relatively high, and stepping on it is a down-to-earth feeling; and people who like to play on wild snow are actually attracted by a special kind of snow quality, which is what we call powder snow.

"Powder snow is usually natural snowfall with a large amount of snowfall. It is a special snow quality that is like powder when the air temperature and humidity are relatively low." Yan Ziqi introduced that this kind of snow is characterized by low density and very soft. You will sink into it immediately when you step on it, just like cotton candy. Even if you fall, it will not hurt. "Sliding on powder snow has a floating feeling like surfing on snow. It can be said that the sliding method is completely different from the regular ski slopes."

Skiing itself is "highly dangerous"

Precisely because powder snow is so rare, it is loved and sought after by many ski enthusiasts. They are also keen to become "powder chasers" and even go hiking or take helicopters to the top of snow-capped mountains to enjoy the magical feeling of "surfing" in the powder snow.

"Many ski resorts abroad open ungroomed wild ski slopes. These slopes are very difficult and usually have warnings like 'No entry for beginners'. Domestic beginners or tourists may not be aware of this." Yan Ziqi analyzed that the cause of this accident was most likely that a beginner accidentally went to such a difficult wild ski slope, or got lost and slid off the slope, unfortunately causing a tragedy.

As early as 2017, the "China Skiing Venue Management Standards (2017 Revised Edition)" jointly issued by the Winter Sports Management Center of the State Sports General Administration and the China Ski Association clearly pointed out that skiing is a "high-risk sport." The "danger" here is that, on the one hand, skiing requires a relatively rich range of sports skills; on the other hand, this sport is greatly affected by environmental factors such as weather, and changes in weather and other factors may have an impact on skiers.

How to ski powder safely

So, what are the precautions when skiing on powder snow?

“Powder snow can be divided into two types: inside the trail and outside the trail. For example, if there is heavy snow the night before, there will be a thick layer of snow on the ski trail the next day. This kind of powder snow is very safe and suitable for novices to practice skiing on powder snow. But if it is wild snow outside the ski trail, it will be very dangerous,” said Yan Ziqi.

The first is the unknown nature of the terrain. There may be hidden risks that we cannot see under the snow, such as boulders, cliffs, tree holes, and even dark holes and deep trenches that are like traps. Once you encounter such terrain, you are very likely to get injured or even threaten your life.

Secondly, it is easy to get lost in the snow. Because in the wild, especially in densely wooded areas, the sight is blocked and people lose their way. If they encounter flat and non-sliding areas, people can hardly move in the waist-deep snow, which can easily lead to physical exhaustion and hypothermia.

In addition, since powder snow is soft, it is difficult to find a foothold, and even experienced skiers find it difficult to get up after falling. If you fall in the wrong posture, it is very likely that snow will enter your mouth and nose, because powder snow is like flour, which may cause suffocation. Suffocation within 3 to 5 minutes will kill you.

Yan Ziqi reminded that if you want to ski powder snow safely, you must first receive professional training, understand powder snow and avalanche knowledge, and equip yourself with professional equipment, such as skis suitable for skiing powder snow, backpacks with airbags, snow shovels, and probes to measure snow depth. Secondly, do not ski powder snow alone, it is best to have someone accompany you. Third, in unfamiliar venues, you should hire a professional local guide.

"Skiing is an outdoor extreme sport. There are many unstable factors that are unpredictable. The public should choose carefully," said Yan Ziqi.