Skiing
Heli-skiing, backcountry touring and the cold, remote places where a phone battery dies and a signal never existed. The posts here cover the sport and the practical question every backcountry skier faces: how do you call for help from a slope nobody can see?
Avalanche transceivers find people; they do not call anyone. A satellite messenger with an SOS button, or a satellite phone for a guided group, is what actually raises the alarm. Keep it warm, keep it charged, and know how to use it with gloves on.
Messengers are at Satellite Trackers, phones at Satellite Phones, and short trips are covered by rentals.
Skiing questions, answered
Is an avalanche beacon enough?
No. A transceiver helps companions find you under snow; it does not contact rescue. Carry a satellite messenger or phone as well.
Do satellite messengers work in the mountains?
Yes, with a view of the sky. Steep north faces and tight valleys can slow the signal, so send from a ridge or an open slope where you can.
What about the cold?
Lithium batteries lose capacity fast below freezing. Keep the device against your body and carry a spare or a small power bank.
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March 23, 2022