Risk of avalanche increasing also in Finnish Lapland

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According to a forecast issued by the Finnish Meteorological Institute on Wednesday, strong winds and snowfall will increase the probability of avalanches in the western areas of Finnish Lapland.
      The forecast suggests that natural avalanches are possible in the areas of Kilpisjärvi, Ounastunturi, and Pallastunturi as well as at the resorts of Ylläs and Levi on Thursday, while avalanches caused by human action are likely.
      The same level of avalanche danger prevailed in St. Anton, in the Austrian Tyrol, on Tuesday, when a Finnish skier was killed under a mass of snow.
     
In Lapland the slopes are shorter and the masses of snow are correspondingly less heavy than in the Alps. Nevertheless, even the smallest avalanche can be dangerous.
      In Lapland, the risk of avalanches is higher this winter than for many years, says Lauri Ylimys from the Ylläs-Ski resort. Ylimys is responsible for the maintenance of the slopes at Ylläs. As a result of the changeable weather, the snow has formed layers, with hard slippery surfaces between the soft strata.
     
Such risks do not exist on groomed downhill slopes, while skiing off-piste can be dangerous. In fact, all downhill and cross-country skiers, snowmobilers, and snowshoers put themselves at risk if they leave the marked pistes.
      However, off-piste skiing outside the prepared slopes has become more and more common in recent years.
      Today, more and more skiers either do not know the risks or ignore the basic rules and signs and leave the marked runs.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Woman caught in avalanche in Finnish Lapland (14.2.2005)

Links:
  Finnish Meteorological Institute

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