The avalanche deaths of four people in Hokkaido already this winter highlights the ever present – although too often underestimated – danger the region’s powder stacked mountains are hiding.
Niseko Snowmobile Adventures held a two-day Canadian Avalanche Association accredited course last week at its Kanbetsu base, 15 minutes drive from Niseko.
One day was spent boning up on theory in the classroom followed by a day in field checking out the real deal.
Says NSA president Scott Bowman, “Once you do a course like that you have a much healthier respect for places like the Annupuri back bowl – suddenly you’re aware of what sort of terrain can be potentially deadly. If the whole mountain slides, the bowl is like a funnel – it all goes into the one place.”
Contact Scott on [email protected] or Chuck Olbery on [email protected] for upcoming course details. And for some basic theory check out the CAA website at www.avalanche.ca.
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