Behind a day's skiing

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, 20 September 1994, Page 11

Behind a day's skiing

From page 9, Snow Bulletin ten or fifteen minutes hung up in the air you'll be glad to see ski patrol arrive and start the evacuation of the chair line. A line is thrown over the chair's cable and you' 11 descend on something like the seat of a poma tow. Not many people refuse the ride, the alternatives are not great! Evacuating a chairlift is a rare occurrence, but it's good to know the patrollers have the technique worked out well. Snow safety From time to time a patroller will be out on the slopes digging a pit, checking the various levels in the snow pack, looking for instability. The snow safety officer will assess the avalanche danger through various tests, observations and re-

ports. He'll then advise on any unstable looking slopes. If these slopes are liable to present a danger j remedial action is undertaken. This may involve restricting access to an area or bombing the slope with explosives. Often bombing will release an i avalanche, at other times help to stabilise a slope. Qualifications What makes a ski patroller? You '11 need to have ' completed a pre-hospital medical care course, spent i some time in an accident and emergency ward or I ambulance, have some climbing experience and good avalanche awareness. Personality is also an | issue as patrollers are involved in skier education. Anybody skiing dangerously is warned and their j actions explained.