Rogue ski pair spark deadly avalanches in Cairngorms

Rogue skiers placed the lives of snowsport fans at risk by triggering avalanches next to the main public ski runs at Scotland’s leading winter resort, experts have claimed.

Two adventure-seeking skiers went off-piste in areas placed out of bounds at Cairngorm due to a high risk of avalanche.

Warnings had been announced by bosses at the Aviemore resort and the Scottish Avalanche Information Service about the potential danger.

But the duo went off-piste and sparked two avalanches near the main runs where dozens of skiers and snowboarders were enjoying fresh snowfall.

They were condemned last night by experts for placing lives – including their own – at risk.

Mark Diggins, co-ordinator for the Scottish Avalanche Information Service, said skiers enjoying public pisted areas in Coire Cas had been unaware of the danger being caused nearby.

He said: “An avalanche could have affected the pisted ski area and innocent people. These two skiers should have been aware of the potential hazard to others.

“Starting an avalanche which could make contact with these innocent people in the Coire Cas area is dangerous.”

The two men, with six other off-piste skiers, had their ski passes confiscated after being spotted by patrol staff.

The scare came after additional unseasonal snowfall at the resort, where staff hope to see skiing continue into June for only the second time in a generation.

Staff had put up signs and placed warnings online about the avalanche risk in the Head Wall and Coronation Wall areas of the mountain on Saturday. But, at around 9am, one of the duo skied down, causing huge blocks of snow to tumble down the slope. His friend then followed.

Mr Diggins said: “Rather than considering the implications of being avalanched, he decided to ski down the same slope and triggered a second avalanche.

“Basically they were lucky to get away with it. The debris could easily have buried or injured someone, or could have carried them on to nearby rocks.”

Following the incident, Cairngorm Mountain posted on Facebook a photograph of the avalanche, with a message stating: “This is why Coronation Wall and Head Wall are out of bounds and passes are being pulled.”

A spokesman added: “We are not out to spoil people’s fun, we just want to keep folks and mountain staff safe. These two people had a lucky escape: maybe not next time.”

Marketing manager Colin Kirkwood said: “We had assigned the areas as high avalanche areas and they ignored it. It endangered them, other skiers and our staff.”

One post on the Cairngorm Mountain Facebook page from Paul Fyfe said: “Risk vs reward – fair enough we all love the mountains, but risk vs stupidity?

“End of the day if you’re in trouble somebody’s got to come and get you, dead or alive.”

Cairngorm Mountain is expecting more skiers and boarders this weekend as snow continues to fall on high ground.

Bosses at the resort, hope the winter season will continue well into June.