Great post Eire, great post. Certainly got me thinking, especially the list of fatal avalanche accidents. I had a very brief look and saw 2 at Flumserberg and 1 at Hoch Y Brig in the last 5 years.

I've never done anything more than get off the chairlift then look down the slopes for a decent path to the bottom, normally in between pistes. I'd say i'm very cautious in this regard, i.e. dont like to go where I cant see how the terrain pans out, hate rocks and don't do any of the couloirs, but I have often had to follow my far braver/stupider boarders* (*delete as applicable) down routes that have been beyond my comfort zone. When I say have to, I generally mean my gf who seems to be far less risk averse than me and is often in front of me. She tends to choose the path that I would prefer to avoid and I cant really leave her to it. Even if it has been dangerous. Yes, we have had plenty of discussions about it, but seeing as we always get down and of course she is always right* (*this is a universal truth), I have a hard time persuading her that I am not just one of these people that worry too much about the what ifs.

So, i've sent her this link & I will book an avalanche course for our next trip or get a local guide. I think it is all about education. We have boarded stack loads over 10 years and thus have a ton of real experience, but forewarned is definitely forearmed. I think you can have so much fun on and off the pistes, best to minimise the danger.

On that basis, is it best to phone up the ski schools on the resort and organise training through them or have you/anyone else got any recommendations?

Cheers