A Reminder to Play Safe in the Mountains Overseas This year – Video

Mountainwatch | Video

Editor’s Note:

In March this year this incredible video arrived in our inbox. It scared us to death. We published it with the hope that it would serve as a reminder to everyone of the potential dangers that often exist in big mountains just a stone’s throw from a marked run. It made an incredible splash, and the guys involved in the incident have walked away from this incident feeling humbled, and eager to learn about avalanche safety. By republishing it, it’s our hope it will do the same for you. Enjoy.

The 2014/2015 Winter has been one of the worst seasons on record for Avalanche incidents in the European Alps. To date, more than 50 people have lost their lives across the region.

In this incredible video, Australian skier, James Mort, and two friends were descending an off-piste run in Swiss ski resort, Les Crosets, when the slope cracked and carried James straight into a deep terrain trap where he was buried under more than 1.5 metres of snow.

Thanks to the quick response of his ski partners – who for whatever reason were not carrying a beacon but were carrying a probe and shovel – James was rescued in less than five minutes.

For the full story of his survival, check out James’ in-depth breakdown here.