Responsible, gradual, respectful and prudent in the mountains in winter

Winter visits to the mountains are characterized by lower temperatures, shorter days, closed mountain huts and special snow conditions, so going to the mountains in winter requires precise planning, obtaining information from the field, taking into account personal experiences, appropriate equipment and knowledge of its use, the Slovenian Mountaineering Association warned at a press conference at the beginning of the winter mountaineering season on Velika planina on December 6. The speakers presented the International Mountain Day 2022, current conditions in the mountains, mandatory equipment and its use, as well as tips and recommendations for safe ski touring.

On December 11, International Mountain Day and in the International Year of Sustainable Development of Mountains, the Slovenian Mountaineering Association also wishes to emphasize awareness of sustainable mountain development and the preservation and responsible use of mountain ecosystems. This year's theme of the day is Women Move Mountains. »Women around the world have an important role in the mountain environment in environmental protection, in social and economic development. In many places they are key in working with various mountain resources, they are leading defenders of nature, they have the main role in preserving traditions and cultural heritage. Due to social, socio-economic and climate changes around the world, women are taking on a greater and more important role in the mountain world, but are often overlooked and neglected for numerous reasons. Due to inequality, the potential of women is often insufficiently and unfairly expressed. On the day of celebrating International Mountain Day, we have the opportunity to raise equality in the many roles of women in the mountain world,« emphasized the vice-president of PZS and mountain guide Miha Habjan. You will receive the entire message in your mailbox in the coming days.


The woman who »moved mountains« was Mira Marko Debelak – Deržaj and this Friday, December 9, 2022, at 6 p.m. will present the first alpinist comic strip about the life and work of a woman with an exceptional character at the Slovenian Mountaineering Museum. They will also award prizes to the best authors of the photo competition of the Slovenian Mountaineering Association and the company Cewe and open the exhibition I Love Mountains.


Safe in the mountains in winter



The professional associate of PZS and GRZS instructor Matjaž Šerkezi always emphasizes that special knowledge is needed to visit the mountain and if we are not skilled in handling technical aids such as an ice axe and crampons, we go into the snowy mountains, especially on somewhat more demanding tours, only together with a suitably trained guide. »Mountaineers are today mostly well equipped, we can say with complete winter equipment, but they do not know how to use it satisfactorily or do not know all the good and bad properties of the equipment and react incorrectly in certain cases, which can lead to an accident,« Šerkezi is critical. »We advise, regardless of experience, to attend an avalanche workshop and a course on safer visiting of the mountains in winter, where we can refresh our knowledge or acquire first knowledge and basic experiences. Also become a member of one of the mountaineering associations, where they will know how to guide you correctly.«

What equipment do we need?


For winter visits to the mountains, we need all the equipment as for mountains in annual, dry conditions, additionally good winter mountaineering shoes, gaiters to protect against snow entering the shoes, quality clothing that protects against wind, cold and moisture and has good insulating properties. Protection from strong sun is also needed, but do not forget spare clothing either and the fact that most mountaineering huts are closed and that for this reason we need more warm non-alcoholic liquids and food in the backpack.

An ice axe and crampons belong on every winter tour, even if the conditions at the starting point suggest otherwise, since conditions change with altitude, direction of the sky and time. When crampons are on the feet, an ice axe belongs in the hands, and poles are put away in the backpack. Palms must be covered with gloves, hands and body covered with protective clothing. We learn to use an ice axe and crampons before use on the tour!

Microspikes are not a suitable replacement for classic 12-point crampons and are dangerous if used in the mountains or where the terrain is steep. They are, however, an excellent aid for walking in the mountains, forest paths or wherever, in the event of loss of balance, it is not possible to slip down the slope.



Avalanche triplet



The avalanche triplet - consisting of an avalanche beacon, a probe and an aluminum avalanche shovel - is also a mandatory part of every mountaineer's technical equipment! Before the tour, we learn to use it at a special workshop.



»When using the avalanche triplet, let no confidence grow in us, as it does not protect us from avalanches, but in the event of being buried in snow increases the chances of quicker rescue from under the snow and thus the chance of survival! The survival statistics in avalanche burial are eloquent – we have the most chances of survival in the first 15 minutes after burial,« adds Šerkezi.

Which avalanche beacon is the best?


According to the guidelines of the international mountain rescue organization, it should be digital, have three antennas and a button for marking. According to the manufacturer's recommendations, we advise checking the beacon for a certain period. The check can only be done by an authorized person from the manufacturer. Repairs and checking of operation in domestic workshops is dangerous.

AND ONCE AGAIN! All equipment is of no use to us if we do not know how to use it - moreover, it can even be dangerous! Therefore, knowledge is very important - learning and refreshing learned in practice.



Under winter conditions, it is not superfluous to remind once again:


- In winter, never go into the mountains alone!

- Go into the mountains properly equipped, learn to use the equipment.

- Already at home, but also before the tour at the starting point, check the operation of the avalanche beacon, replace the batteries and use it consistently.

- Before the start of the season, practice walking with crampons, proper use of the ice axe and stopping with the ice axe on the slope with a safe exit.

- Choose routes suitable for your psychophysical abilities, and on the tour adapt to the weakest participant.

- When planning the tour, take into account the short day, set off early enough for the excursion, tour or hike.

- Check the opening of mountaineering huts (most high-mountain and mid-mountain huts are closed).

- Already several days before the tour, monitor the weather conditions and forecast for the area you are heading to.

- Take into account data on snow conditions - on the height and condition of the snow cover and on the degree of danger of triggering snow avalanches.

- After heavy snowfall or thaws, do not go into the mountains for at least three more days due to increased danger of triggering snow avalanches.

- Inform your family about your plans and routes.

That there are very few events among the interventions of mountain rescuers on organized mountaineering activities can be an invitation to mountain visitors to join one of the 297 mountaineering associations and clubs, added Miha Habjan and presented the meaning of membership in the mountaineering organization: »By joining the chosen mountaineering association or club, you contribute almost half of the funds for its operation. The remaining part is intended for the operation of the common programs of PZS and covering the costs of membership insurance. We hope you will not need the latter. On the contrary, we hope you will use many other benefits as often as possible - discount for accommodation in mountaineering huts, for purchasing mountaineering equipment and for cheaper travel by Slovenske železnice trains in domestic traffic. Inflation and general price increases have unfortunately also required an increase in the mountaineering membership fee for 2023.«

Ski touring one of the most attractive ways of movement



Ski touring is certainly one of the most beautiful and most attractive ways of movement in the mountains in winter. It is a very broad concept, as it includes movement with skis on the ski resort, skiing on hills, competitive ski touring, skiing from the highest mountains. All have in common that they somehow belong to mountaineering, which means that we must very well know at least the basics of winter movement in the mountains and master the use of all equipment that is necessary for safe ski touring. »For the first acquaintance with ski touring itself, it makes sense to borrow the equipment. For the start, the key pieces are: touring skis, touring bindings, touring ski skins (which are glued on the skis and enable walking uphill), touring ski boots. For things like poles, backpacks and clothing, we can first check if we have anything in the home wardrobe. Then we start gradually ski touring! It is highly recommended to attend ski touring courses, where you will learn the correct use of equipment, correct movement on skis and the basics of tour planning. Of course, it is necessary to choose a course led by competent people who will teach you as necessary,« explained the ski touring instructor Luka Kovačič.


For the start, the ski resort will certainly be the safest environment, which will serve as necessary preparation for further tours. »It is necessary to learn to walk uphill itself, as we quickly find out that movement is still not as simple as it looks. Of course, then for the descent itself, knowledge of good skiing is also necessary. Good physical fitness is also very important. But once we set off outside the ski resort, in addition to the basics of movement on skis, we must also very well know all the rules of movement in the mountains in winter. At this point, in addition to skiing, we also start talking about mountaineering and far too many people are not aware of this. The problem is not only the generation of young people inspired by ''social media'', as is often wrongly assessed, but also adults in middle and older ages. Movement in the mountains in winter hides enormous traps that they are not even aware of. Therefore, once again emphasis that one must approach skiing gradually, acquire knowledge at suitable courses, not just have all the equipment, but also know how to use it.«

What do we need for safe ski touring?


What we take with us depends on our chosen goal. »If we are moving on the ski resort, we will need skis, poles, skins, touring boots, sports warm clothing and a small backpack, as we will stay in a safe area where the equipment is more or less dictated by the weather conditions. If we are heading off the ski resorts, the choice of equipment is much more complex. In addition to the above mentioned, we will have to add the mandatory equipment that belongs in every mountaineering backpack, avalanche triplet, enough energy food, warm drink, additional warm layers of clothing, clothing in case of worsening weather, additional gloves. Do not forget the phone, not for a picture at the top, but for your safety and also responsibility to others in the mountains, whom you can help,« adds Kovačič.


Etiquette of ski touring


Movement on the ski resort is allowed only during the operating time of the ski resort, or otherwise, if the ski resort has a special regulation for ski tourers. We also always walk along the edge of the ski resort and in no case stop under the crests, where we are not in the visible field of skiers. If the ski resort has a designated ski touring track, it is essential that we move on it. Some ski resorts have also introduced a ''ski touring'' card, which must be paid for if we wish to move on the ski resort.


Usually, outside the ski resorts, we encounter a ''spur'' (a ski track made in deep snow by ski tourers), which we use for upward movement. Here it is necessary to point out mutual tolerance of skiers and pedestrians – the ski touring track IS NOT intended for pedestrians! If a pedestrian walks on the track, they destroy it with their shoes and thereby prevent all further ski tourers from ascending the track.


Also, due to the destruction of the ''beauty of nature'' in the track, we do not relieve ourselves, neither small nor large needs. We also prevent this for our four-legged friends.

Basic rules and guidelines for ski touring


- We never go on a tour alone. If we go into the mountains alone, we must take full responsibility that in the event of an accident, no one will help us.

- When walking uphill, we follow the guidelines for safe movement in the mountains in winter and adapt our mutual distance to the terrain. When skiing downhill, we must always stay in the visible field and wait every few vertical meters if necessary.

- Every tour requires thorough preparation. We must plan the ascent, descent, estimate the duration, check the snow bulletin, accurately make an assessment of the weather at the location we are heading to, inquire about information on the field, choose appropriate equipment.

- The descent is done along the approach route. Already during the ascent, we assess the conditions on the field for the later descent, as we will thus notice potential traps and continuously assess the risk on the field.

- Nature is completely different in winter than in summer!

- We read/watch information on forums, blogs/vlogs selectively. Often a huge amount of wrong information appears, which can be extremely dangerous! I would suggest using forums as a catalog of ideas for a tour, but inquire about the difficulty itself, conditions on the field, suitability from reliable sources (book guides from recognized publishers, ARSO, websites with competencies,...).

During winter activities in the mountains, one must also be aware of their consequences on wild animals, therefore the vice-president of PZS and instructor of mountain education Martin Šolar recommends planning the tour at home in such a way that we avoid quiet areas, reserves, winter habitats and established migration paths of animals. »If possible, use marked or recommended ski touring paths, in this way animals also adapt to ski tourers. We especially want to emphasize that we do not ski on animal tracks. During ski touring, let's not be loud, despite the pleasures of turns in powder or crust, let the experience remain yours, with screaming and shouting we do no good to anyone. If we notice animals, stop and wait for them to leave, observe them from a distance.«


The mountain world is beautiful, enables us numerous activities and fills us with energy. With wrong approach, wrong motives and with carelessness or even negligence, our activity up there can also be dangerous. Therefore choose tours that we are up to in all aspects of the complexity of mountain activity. Let's stick to principles of gradualness and prevention. Let's be responsible to ourselves, our loved ones, to the environment where we move, to all who will come to help us in case of possible problems and to life in general. Good luck!