Any skier should always be aware of several critically important weather conditions, regardless of their experience level. This is to ensure both your individual safety and the safety of those around you. Below you will find a series of such hazards that you are likely to face. 

Sun Exposure 

Image taken by Merlin Reinders, Sunshine Village 

Perhaps one of the least obvious, or most often ignored hazards that any skier will face is sun exposure. While this hazard is often considered least relevant on overcast days, it is critical that you source the appropriate protective equipment even on the darkest of days. 

Because of the nature of mountains, skiers will typically spend large portions of time outside at high elevations, where UV rays are much harsher (the atmosphere is thinner and less protective). In addition, the sunlight reflects off of snow and clouds, amplifying the sun's radiation. Sunburn is more likely as a result of this, which is why sunscreen is necessary. It is also recommended that you bring a mask to cover the areas of your face not protected by your helmet or goggles. Sunburn is a major hazard because of the high altitude, snow reflection, and the fact that skiers are typically exposed for up to hours at a time. Wear high-factor sunscreen, lip balm, and eye protection – either sunglasses or ski goggles (ski goggles are recommended) – at all times to reduce the danger of exposure. 

So why is the sun actually more intense while you're skiing? This can be answered through three fundamental elements: 

1. Exposure - While this is technically not related to the strength of the sun itself, exposure is determined by the individual. If you are spending extended periods of time outside in the sun, you typically will apply sunscreen, so there should be no reason not to follow the same precautionary practice while skiing.
2. Altitude - As a result of most ski resorts, including those found in Alberta, being at significantly higher altitudes than most places of residence, the sun is more intense. As altitude increases, the atmosphere becomes thinner and consequently filters out less UV radiation. 
3. Snow Reflection - Likely the most significant factor leading to an increase of sun-related injuries, snow reflection occurs when UV radiation strikes snow, which has a high albedo, and bounces back up towards you. This means that you are both exposed to the ground and the sky. 

What precautions can you take to ensure that you are safe from the sun?

• Sun Screen - The most obvious and effective method for dealing with sun exposure is sunscreen. The higher the SPF (sun protection factor) the better. Typically anything greater than 30 SPF should be appropriate for skiing and should be reapplied according to the respective sunscreens instructions. 
• Lip Balm - Your lips are actually the most sensitive area of your face to the sun. As such you should apply a lip balm that contains an SPF factor. 
• Goggles and or Sunglasses - To prevent damage to your eyes it is essential to wear a form of eye protection with an appropriate level of sun protection at all times.
• Reduce Exposure - Likely the easiest of the precautionary methods, you should ensure that you cover as much of your body as possible to reduce exposure to the sun. Even on warm days when you might be inclined to wear a t-shirt or no shirt at all, you should be aware of how much you are increasing your exposure. 

Wind 

Image sourced from UBC EOASLinks to an external site.

Any regular skier will tell you that wind is one of the most significant factors when considering the safety and enjoyability of your ski trip. As you ski up or down exposed terrain, the wind can reduce visibility, make it difficult to stay warm, pelt you with snow, and push you around. The following section will address how you can prepare to deal with this weather hazard:

1. Wind Chill - Even the most insignificant of wind can make an already cold day even colder, which is often amplified by increased elevation in chair lifts. The predicted wind chill, which is often described as the "feels like" temperature, describes how much faster the human body loses heat due to conduction due to the wind at a given air temperature.
2. Exposure to Face and Eyes - Wind, especially paired with sharp ice crystals, can pose a great risk to both your skin and eyes. It also has the capability of drying out your skin, especially around your lips which is another reason why SPF sunscreen and lip balm are so important. If skiing without eye protection, wind can also cause great strain on your eyes which may make you more susceptible to difficult-to-identify hazards. 
3. Visibility - High wind can be highly disorienting in extreme conditions. When visibility is poor and snow is blowing in your face, what is seemingly a harmless run can easily turn into a terrifying experience. More often than you might think, people take the incorrect route, are unsure where they are, or have difficulty finding the chair lift/gondola/rope tow. 

So how can you address these wind-related issues to ensure an enjoyable skiing experience?

• To acknowledge the risk of windchill you should check your local weather forecast and ensure that you are dressed appropriately for the "feels like" temperature rather than the actual temperature. Multiple layers are often essential, and it is always a safe bet to carry additional clothing with you in your backpack for when unexpected conditions hit. 
  
• Goggles and sunglasses, as previously mentioned, are not only essential for protection against the sun but also against the wind. In the likely event that snow or freezing rain is precipitating, you will be at great risk without them. 
• Before skiing, ensure that you know where you are at any given time. Ski hills are almost always littered with tail maps which provide you with information on the nearest lift, lodge, or parking lot. If you are skiing with friends, it is also important to agree on a common meeting place so that if you become lost you can be found appropriately. The visible light transmission (VLT) of your goggle lense is also important to consider as on darker days you will likely want more clear goggles. 

What if you find yourself caught in sudden windy conditions? 

1. Assume an Athletic Position - getting low into an aerodynamic stance will reduce the relative surface of your body exposed to the wind, reducing its opposing force. This is particularly helpful with strong headwinds. 
2. Remaining Square: A common technique among professional skiers is your ability to remain "square." This essentially means that your hips and shoulders are facing in the direction that you are skiing in. Being "square" helps you become significantly more stable and prevents the wind from pushing you around as much.
3. Choosing your Runs: Runs located lower on the mountain will provide more coverage against the wind in addition to giving stronger contrast than plain slopes which often lose much of their detail with low visibility. 

Avalanches 

Image sourced from Forbes Magazine

Avalanches are one of the greatest risks presented to a skier. Reaching speeds of greater than 100km/h in less than 5 seconds, they carry unrelenting force and should always be taken seriously. 

Avalanches have been classified into four groups to help with understanding: 

1. Loose Snow Avalanches - These are most commonly seen on steep slopes following snowfall. As a result of having little time to settle, or having been loosened by sunlight, the snow-pack of loose avalanches is not solid. Such avalanches originate from a single point and then progressively widen as they continue onwards. Typically causing minimal damage to man-made structures, loose avalanches can become particularly dangerous in the presence of a terrain trap (a sharp concave of a runout such as a gully) where a skier might become deeply buried. 
2. Slab Avalanches - Loose snow avalanches have the potential to progress into slab avalanches, which are known for their distinctive cohesive block structure. While most thin slabs are typically harmless, large slabs have been attributed to many fatalities over the years. 

How can you remain avalanche conscious and what actions can you take in the event of an avalanche?

• Most ski resorts have strict standards on where their official runs can be located and they undergo intensive inspection to ensure no avalanche risk. As such, as a skier, you should avoid veering off-piste unless you are traveling with other experienced skiers, have the appropriate equipment, and have taken avalanche training courses. 
• In the unlikely event that you are struck by an avalanche within a resort you should take the following measures (sourced from Get-Prepared Canada):

1. 1. Grab onto anything solid such as trees or rocks to prevent yourself from being swept away and dragged under.
   2. Keep your mouth shut and teeth clenched.
   3. Try to use a swimming motion if you are being dragged away by an avalanche to stay at the surface.
   4. If possible, move to the side of the avalanche.

• If you have been buried by an avalanche and it is now moving slowly you should: 

1. 1. Push yourself towards the surface of the avalanche.
   2. Use one of your arms to make an air pocket in front of your face. The other arm should be used to push towards the surface.

• Once the avalanche has stopped:

1. 1. If possible, dig yourself out of the snow.
   2. Remain calm and relax your breathing, especially when you are unable to dig yourself out and become pannicked.
   3. Save your energy and only scream once you detect someone searching for survivors is near.