---

Heavy snow storm hits parts of Germany & Austria offering High Avalanche Risks

At least seven people dead after a heavy snowfall hits parts of the German and Austrian Alps, leaving High avalanche alerts. Reporter confirms that a 28-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman who went missing whilst snowshoeing were found dead near Salzburg in central Austria, the missing couple were snowshoeing near Hohenberg in Lower Austria, 40 rescuers with dogs searched for the young couple and APA (Austrian news agency) Reported the death. German police reported a 44-year-old man died in Wackersberg in Bavaria when he was hit by tree branches brought down by heavy snow. Swiss authorities also reported that a woman who was buried by an avalanche last week in the Uri canton of Switzerland died of her injuries over the weekend. Roads were closed in Hochkar alpine road and the entire Hochkar skiing region in Lower Austria due to a high risk of avalanches, Residents and visitors were asked to leave the region by the end of the day. Austrian authorities warned skiers not to go off the slopes and not drive their cars unless needed. With an extra four feet of snow forecasted for the up and coming days in Austria, Mountain rescue authorities and helicopters have been alerted for further rescue missions. In Bavaria, authorities also had to close roads and some train lines because of heavy snowfall and in some parts of southern Bavaria and the Steiermark region in Austria. On Monday the Norwegian police released names of four skiers who sadly got hit by the avalanche in Tamok valley, near the northern city of Tromsoe, two aged 29, one aged 32 and another aged 36 were hit by a 300 meter wide (990-foot wide avalanche). Heavy snowfall and poor visibility have affected rescue efforts over the past few days. We at Snowsafe highly recommend for as little as £19.96 you install a Recco Reflector onto your helmet or boots, you can also sow these into your jacket, Over 850+ Mountain rescue teams use Recco to speed up avalanche rescue situations. When skiing or snowboarding off-piste or near any avalanche prone areas you should be wearing an Avalanche Transceiver and should be fully equipped with Shovel and Probe. Those new to the avalanche equipment, these are known as an Avalanche safety kit and package.

---

Snowsafe Blogs:

It’s important to stay safe and have the correct training when skiing or snowboarding off-piste please check out further blogs below :

• Off-Piste Equipment Checklist 
• Top tips for surviving an Avalanche
• Avalanche Safety Courses
• History of Avalanche Transceivers and How they have Evolved 
• What are the differences between the BCA Tracker, Tracker 2, Tracker 3
• Could there be an app on your phone that is an Avalanche Transceiver?
• Difference Between Ortovox Zoom+, 3+ and S1+ Transceivers?

If you would like to feature a blog about your organisation or experience in the snow please feel free to contact us on info@snowsafe.co.uk or  01273 003925. We are happy to take guest blogs linking back to your website.