Snow avalanches are a complex phenomenon and correctly assessing avalanche danger is crucial in order to avoid accidents. To aid the decision-making process, different decision-making frameworks (DMFs) have been developed. However, each DMF assesses different factors. We identified 44 factors included in the ten most commonly used DMFs, supplemented by nine factors regarded as important by avalanche ...

Like many other mountainous countries, Norway has experienced a rapid increase in both recreational winter activities and fatalities in avalanche terrain during the past few decades: during the decade 2008–2017, 64 recreational avalanche fatalities were recorded in Norway. This is a 106% increase from that of the previous decade. In 2013, Norway therefore launched the National Avalanche Warning ...

Linguistic polarity is a natural characteristic of judgments: Is that situation safe/dangerous? How difficult/easy was the task? Is that politician honest/dishonest? Across six studies (<i>N</i> = 1599), we tested how the qualitative frame of the question eliciting a risk judgment influenced risk perception and behavior intention. Using a series of hypothetical scenarios of skiing in avalanche ...

The snowy mountains of the world attract an increasing number of backcountry recreationalists, but nice skiing comes with a risk. Every year about 140 people in Europe and North America lose their life in avalanche accidents. 9 out of 10 accidents are triggered by the victim or someone in their party. Therefore, improving decision-making is important. Avalanche terrain decision-making is complex ...