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Show OUTDOOR REC 4 Skiers prepare for the hills during preseason, making sure to take the safest skin tracks during preseason in order to enjoy the deep days this coming winter. Prepare for pre-seas- As early-seas- on snow to ski on deter the standard portant to be able to think on your feet in dire situations. storms drop enough but not quite enough to pre-seas- on core shots students are already getting after it in the mountains. Resorts are expected to open before November is over, with Brighton opening Nov. 18 and Alta and Snowbird opening Nov. 20. Students who are heading to the early this season should always be sure to carry at least the bare necessities-- : a beacon, shovel, probe and a friend or two. There is no such thing as too much avalanche training, said Jeremy Middlemiss, owner and manager of The Sport Loft, a ski shop in Holladay. Middlemiss grew up in Salt Lake City, skiing at Alta as a child and making his way into the backcountry in his teen years. While he manages and owns a ski shop during the day, he spends his mornings in the with the shop crew. His expertise on avalanche awareness and training began at a young age, when he discovered that the backcountry is a fragile environment. You have to respect it in order to reap the benefits, Middlemiss said. Be sure to take an avalanche level one certification course if you have the opportunity. It is im back-count- ry back-count- ry Riders should take low-ris- k lines in the backcountry activities with backcountry safety reminders on BLAKE BEKKEN WITH THE EDITORIAL STAFF away from avalanche paths. Not everyone has the opportunity to take what can really happen, how to utilize your tools and also provides an opportunity to realize that your life is not the only one at risk when heading into the backcountry. Hannah Barkey, senior and avid skier, who has already been out over five times this season, echoed Darda- nis thoughts. She avalanche training courses, but some Westw minster professors actually teach these courses on campus, including adjunct faculty member Kelly Robbins. can Students take advantage of The Avalanche THERE Awareness class, on-sno- HPW160 (avail- able Spring semester), which teaches all the basics that the American Ava- back-count- ry said IS NO SUCH THING AS TOO MUCH AVALANCHE that everyone should receive avalanche training before stepping into the backcountry zone for any kind of winter sport. It is imperative that people understand the dangers that mountains pose if they want to recJEREMY MIDDLEMISS THE SPORT LOFT reate in areas that are not avalanche terns and snowpack controlled, Barkey said. Anyone who enstability. Mena Dardani, junior nursing major who joys skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, took a class from Robbins, said she believes hiking, snowshoeing, sledding, that it is crucial for skiers and riders to take skiing in backcountry, an avy class before hitting the backcountry. backcountry also known as sidecountry, or beeven their own backyard needs to be aware It is important to take the avy class of avalanche danger and must know how to fore heading into the backcountry, Dardani said. It provides the chance to learn about appropriately manage said danger. Association covers in their Level I avalanche course. This course covers snow type identification, weather patlanche TRAINING. snow-cover- ed cross-count- ry lift-access- ed Mena Dardani said the class pushed her to learn how to make decisions as a group and for the benefit of the group as a whole. Learning to operate as a group and make decisions based on the safety of the group is the most important thing I learned, Dardani said. Avalanche classes provide the tools and education to make different tactical decisions, according to Barkey, avid backcountry skier. Avalanche training allows you to enjoy your time in the mountains even more while striving to keep yourself and the people around you safe, Barkey said. She said she applies avalanche training skills outside of backcountry skiing, as well. I personally use trip planning and deci- and knowledge about the human factor that I learned in my avy one course any time that I am enjoying the outdoors," Barkey said. When heading into the backcountry with early season conditions through November and December, students should remember to go in a group and check the snow conditions along the way. Early sea- sion-making skills group dynamics and son snowfall can create deadly avalanches, so play it safe even in low-rizones. sk |