A snowboarder at Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort in Otari, Japan found himself in a tense situation after falling into a glide crack directly after being warned about their dangers.
A glide crack is a long crack or hole in the snowpack that can appear anywhere in the mountains but are often found on steeper terrain next to rock features or on ridgelines where wind-deposited snow creates cornices. The can be difficult to identify, especially after new snowfall which can over the top of a crack and obscure the danger.
Thankfully this man was skiing in a group and was immediately assisted by his riding partner:
“How not to avoid a glide crack in Japan. Was riding an epic line with Ludwig Cleve and his friends when this happened. Super fortunate to make it out of this alive and with no injuries. Big thanks to Charlie Bensch for immediately stopping and helping. Great reminder to always ride with friends in the backcountry or hire a guide. Stay safe everyone!” -Daniel Schreiber
Read more about glide crack safety below.
Glide crackss can be found on any snow covered mountains and that include many ski resorts. Here is Palisades Tahoe’s guidelines for what to do if you fall into a glide crack or witness someone fall into a glide crack:
- Call Dispatch so that they can send Ski Patrol to help. Ski Patrol needs to know your location, how many people are involved, and the general situation, including how long the person has been in the crack and any pertinent medical information.
- If you are in the crack, rapid movement and struggling will compact more snow around you and worsen your situation. Save your energy and stay calm.
- Use your poles, skis, or board to stabilize yourself and prevent you from falling any deeper.
- Try to exit the crack from the side, not directly from where you fell in.
- You can also dig in your skis across the crack and use them as steps to get out.
