Risky positioning – social aspirations and risk-taking behaviour in avalanche terrain

Figures & data

Figure 1. Theoretical framework for decision-making in avalanche terrain

Figure 2. Hypothetical ski runs including terrain information (slope and aspect), relevant snow and weather information. Mountain photos by Damian Banwell

Table 1. Descriptive statistics: socio-demographics and backcountry experience

Age				Avalanche training [N/%]
Mean/Min/Max	36.95	18	76	No training	96	14.81
Standard deviation	11.84			Basic training	424	65.43
Ski days/season				Advanced training	128	19.75
Mean/Min/Max	21.35	0	250	Backcountry skills [N/%]
Standard deviation	22.83			Beginner	24	3.70
Years of BC riding				Intermediate	97	14.97
Mean/Min/Max	8.66	0	50	Strong	248	38.27
Standard deviation	8.36			Advanced/expert	216	33.33
Gender [N/%]				Extreme	63	9.72
Female	156	24.07		Avalanche experience [N/%]
Male	492	75.93		No experience	384	59.26
Education [N/%]				Close call	259	39.97
Secondary or lower	23	3.55		Accident	29	4.48
College	97	14.97		Close call and/or accident	264	40.74
University (Bachelor)	316	48.77
University (Graduate)	212	32.72		Number of observations (N)	648

Figure 3. Perceived risk of the relatively safe (Field) and relatively risky (Bowl) line

Figure 4. (a) Admiration of others’ behaviour. (b). Earning respect for own behaviour

Table 2. Correlates of positional preferences. P-values in parentheses

	Positional about terrain
	Model I^a	Model II^a	SML^b
Talk about OR post photo of steep line	0.141	0.170	4.430
	(0.000)	(0.000)	(0.000)
Respect: bold lines	0.074	0.076	2.173
	(0.000)	(0.000)	(0.000)
Admiration: bold lines	0.062	0.066	3.132
	(0.000)	(0.000)	(0.000)
Respect: safety focus	−0.045	−0.049	−2.196
	(0.003)	(0.002)	(0.000)
Willingness to take risk (Dohmen)		0.000	0.091
		(0.968)	(0.003)
log (ski experience)		0.009	−0.493
		(0.491)	(0.000)
Avalanche training
Basic training (REC)		0.064	4.045
		(0.216)	(0.000)
Advanced training (PRO)		0.144	4.897
		(0.040)	(0.000)
Education
Bachelor degree		−0.069	−1.146
		(0.235)	(0.000)
Master’s degree		−0.070	2.753
		(0.275)	(0.000)
Age		0.000	0.090
		(0.941)	(0.001)
Age squared		NA	−2.562
			(0.000)
Male		−0.057	−0.002
		(0.249)	(0.000)
N	648	648	648
Chi Square	125.006	136.263	1787.000
Pseudo r2	0.153	0.167	NA
AIC	702.811	709.554	663.526

^aMarginal effects (estimated at means) from Probit regression, ^b Klein and Spady estimates

Table 3. Correlates of hypothetical risk-taking. P-values in parentheses

	Accepts steep line
	Probit	SML
Positional about terrain	0.091	5.185
	(0.028)	(0.000)
Talk about OR post photo of steep line	0.108	3.413
	(0.012)	(0.000)
Perceived risk	−0.185	−9.597
	(0.000)	(0.000)
Willingness to take risk (Dohmen)	0.050	3.146
	(0.000)	(0.000)
log (ski experience)	−0.002	−1.208
	(0.876)	(0.000)
Avalanche training (ref is no training)
Basic	−0.098	−6.258
	(0.103)	(0.000)
Advanced	−0.201	−14.865
	(0.003)	(0.000)
Education (ref is college or lower)
Bachelor degree	−0.147	−5.274
	(0.014)	(0.000)
Master’s degree	−0.126	−3.462
	(0.055)	(0.000)
Age	0.003	−0.125
	(0.237)	(0.000)
Male	−0.111	−1.931
	(0.028)	(0.000)
N	648	648
Chi 2	161.662	2763.027
Pseudo R2	0.222	NA
AIC	590.918	549.845

^aMarginal effects (estimated at means) from Probit regression, ^b Klein and Spady estimates

Figure 5. Changes in satisfaction due to riding activities by others

Figure 6. Probability to accept the steep line for positional and non-positional individuals, at different levels of avalanche education. Predicted values

Table

Level I – Beginner backcountry traveller	Working to develop balance, body position and speed control with backcountry equipment on flat to moderate terrain.
Level II–Intermediate backcountry traveller.	Can negotiate all moderate runs confidently with backcountry equipment. Can negotiate most out of bounds terrain with confidence.
Level III – Strong backcountry traveller.	Can negotiate most all terrain on backcountry equipment. A Level III backcountry skier/rider should be able to negotiate a variety of terrain all day using a variety of skills such as traversing, side-slipping and kick-turns if necessary. Proficient at self-arrest.
Level IV – Advanced/Expert backcountry traveller	Can negotiate 90% of the terrain encountered on backcountry excursions with confidence. Can handle all snow conditions in all weather. Proficient with terrain management skills such as ski cutting. Can negotiate all terrain including steep chutes (up to 50 degrees).
Level V – Extreme backcountry traveller.	Can negotiate extreme terrain in all conditions. Completely comfortable and confident on long descents up to 50° with other potential challenges such as highly variable snow conditions and extreme weather. Proficient with rope skills and moderate climbing.

Data availability statement

We are willing to share the anonymized data used for analysis in this study. https://doi.org/10.18710/UHPYAB