Accidents involving skiers enjoying themselves on the nation's natural pistes have been occurring frequently. Efforts must be made to raise risk awareness and prevent accidents.
Three men, including a Frenchman and a Briton, who were skiing and snowboarding in Hokkaido and Nagano Prefecture have died in avalanches over the last few weeks.
The accidents occurred off-piste on back-country slopes with uncompacted snow. In Hokkaido, close to 80 percent of winter-mountain accidents in the past 10 years have involved skiers on back-country slopes.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of back-country skiing enthusiasts, who come to enjoy the beautiful scenery and fresh powder snow. However, it is important to note that untouched nature and danger exist side by side.
In this year's warm winter, in particular, there has been an increased risk of surface avalanches, which occur when melted snow hardens into ice, causing the fresh snow that accumulates on top to fall down the mountainside. It is also important to be careful about the risks of slipping on slopes and sudden changes of weather conditions.
More than a few skiers enter mountain areas without sufficient food and equipment. It is essential to carry such items as spare cold weather clothing and small positioning devices that can transmit location information in the event of an avalanche. It is indispensable to check weather conditions and skiing courses beforehand.
In recent years, Japan's powder snow has been attracting many foreign skiers to the nation's slopes. It is important for local governments and ski resort operators to disseminate information in languages other than Japanese, regarding such matters as the equipment and mindset needed when entering mountain areas.
Historically, skiing was a means by which people in snow-covered areas traveled or hunted, and it has developed into a sports and leisure activity. In Europe, the home of skiing, people are strongly aware that back-country skiing must be enjoyed at one's own risk.
In Japan, ski resort operators are often responsible for managing the safety of slopes. Operators install notice boards among other measures in zones outside controlled areas warning of the dangers of skiing in such areas.
If people go back-country skiing outside of controlled areas, they have every reason to be held responsible for their own conduct. When accidents occur, large-scale search operations are required, bringing risks of secondary disasters.
Hokkaido's Niseko area has introduced gates to back-country areas from ski slopes, through which skiers without helmets and positioning devices are not allowed to pass.
Some areas require skiers to submit information regarding their expected time of descent and their skiing routes, to ensure rescue operations can be conducted swiftly in the event of an accident.
With the 2022 Winter Olympic Games to be held in Beijing, there is expected to be increased demand for skiing-related activities in East Asia, including in Japan. Rules on back-country skiing must be established.
-- This article appeared in the print version of The Yomiuri Shimbun on Feb. 9, 2020.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
