Woman caught in avalanche in Finnish Lapland
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An avalanche swept a skier down the slope of Pallastunturi in Finnish Lapland at about 1:00 PM on Saturday.
A couple from Northern Finland were skiing off-piste when the sheet-like avalanche began taking the woman downward.
The snow pulled the skier down about 200 metres, but she managed to to emerge from the experience unhurt.
The couple reported the incident to rescue authorities. There were no other skiers in the area.
Muonio police chief Pekka Väliheikki has warned skiers of the risk of avalanches.
"It is not a good idea to go off-piste at this time. The terrain is very difficult both for the skiers and for rescue personnel, if something happens."
The Finnish Meteorological Institute evaluates the likelihood of avalanches on a scale from one to five. On Saturday the risk was at level three on the fells of Pallas, Ylläs, and Levi.
The level means that natural avalanches are possible, and that avalanches caused by human action are likely. Level three was expected to continue at least until Monday.
Factors contributing to the risk level include the layer of snow in Western Lapland, currently about one metre thick, changes in temperature, and the wind. The wind promotes the formation of unsupported outcroppings of snow, which can collapse without warning.
Helsingin Sanomat
