After Manuel Neuer's accident: DAV expert on the dangers of ski touring

Created: 2022-12-13, 4:16 p.m

Two women on a ski tour on Werfenweng in Salzburger Land.

They climb off-piste so as not to disturb skiers.

© Franz Pritz/picture alliance

Manuel Neuer was seriously injured while ski touring.

A DAV expert explains the dangers of Bayern's risky hobby.

Murnau – On the Spitzing in the Miesbach district, Manuel Neuer fell on a ski tour on Friday.

The captain of the national soccer team broke his lower leg.

Thomas Bucher is a touring ski expert at the German Alpine Club and knows the dangers of the sport.

Here the 54-year-old reveals how to prepare properly - and why ski tours are a trend.

There are two variants of ski touring

Ski tours in open terrain, such as on the steep southern slope of the Roßkopf, where Manuel Neuer was, differ greatly from those on groomed slopes.

“Even when there is little snow, there are no rocks, loamy patches or trees lying across the slope,” says Bucher.

If a ski area is open, the pistes are also secured against avalanches for ski tourers.

"First fitness, then a stop and later a great descent - that's what makes the sport so popular."

Preparation is most important

But if you are away from the pistes, you need to know: Beginners should only go with experienced skiers.

In the terrain, the tour must be planned in detail and the avalanche danger must be checked and correctly assessed on site.

In addition to the right equipment, an avalanche transceiver, probe, shovel, as well as a first aid kit, bivy bag and mobile phone should also be carried.

An airbag system increases the chances of survival in an emergency.

Avalanche warning service: Watch out for fresh snowdrifts at high altitudes

So far, the avalanche warning service has classified the avalanche danger in the Bavarian Alps as low - only in the Berchtesgaden Alps above 1800 meters as moderate.

The main problem there are fresh snowdrift accumulations in steep terrain near the ridges and in blown-in gullies and hollows.

Slab avalanches can be triggered here by even small additional loads.

Scattered snow avalanches are also possible on steep meadow slopes, as the warning service reports.

Although there is little fresh snow near the valley, there is between 30 and 60 centimeters above 1300 meters.

In the old snow there are sometimes loose layers between older crusts, but only a little snowfall is expected for Wednesday.

The last avalanche in which a person died occurred on April 14, 2022 at the Western Karwendelspitze.

Falls are the most common cause of accidents

"As with Neuer, falls on the descent are the most common cause of accidents on ski tours - avalanches are far behind," says Bucher.

When the snow is frozen and the terrain is rocky, broken arms and legs are part of everyday life for mountain rescuers.

“Good technique and adapted speed reduce the risk.

And a helmet protects against head injuries.”

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These areas in the region are popular

At the beginning of the season, many ski tourers head to the Kleinwalsertal in Austria.

In Bavaria in the Allgäu, for example on the Riedberger Horn, there is usually enough snow first.

"Meanwhile, the conditions are good here too, with around 25 centimeters of snow," says Bucher.

The ski areas Spitzingsee, Brauneck, Zugspitze or the ski area on the Kolben in Oberammergau are popular with ski tourers.

Thomas Bucher, DAV expert for ski tours © DAV

Avoid conflicts on the slopes

“Ski tourers will no longer disappear from the slopes.

So the conflicting interests have to be seen,” says Bucher.

Because ski tourers "benefit" from the slopes free of charge, the first operators have now introduced new park fees.

If you don't have a lift ticket at Spitzing, for example, you pay 15 euros.

Otherwise, the following applies to tourers: only climb up at the edge of the piste and do not cross it in places that are difficult to see.

If they are freshly prepared, ski off the edge.

Wear a headlamp at night.

In addition, note the locks.

When working on the slopes, winches are used, which can injure ski tourers.

More children try the sport

The first manufacturers, such as Dynafit, are already offering complete sets with skis, bindings and skins for children.

"But the fact that second-hand equipment sells off incredibly quickly on Ebay also shows that demand is increasing," says Bucher.

Important: Knowing the fitness of the children, choosing beginner tours, planning realistic times and taking enough water and snacks with you.

Ski touring as a trend sport

"In the last 20 years, more and more people have started ski touring," says Bucher.

"The DAV estimates that there are around 600,000 in Germany." Bucher learned the sport at the age of ten.

"Back then, we were practically alone in the Ammergau Alps." Since ski lifts were closed for a long time due to the pandemic, even more people switched to the sport.

Because of the energy crisis, the DAV expects the trend to continue: "Ski passes could be too expensive for families this year."