Dramatic video that shows a snowboarder being rescued from deep snow has been released as part of a warning ahead of a blizzard expected to bring “whiteout conditions” to parts of western America.
Ski California, a non-profit trade association, released the footage as part of what it called an “informative and potentially life-saving” video which teaches skiers what to do if they fall into deep snow, or come across someone who has.
It comes as the association – which represents 35 ski resorts in California and Nevada – warned the Sierra Nevada mountain range could see upwards of 8ft (2.4 metres) of snow due to a storm starting on Thursday.
If current forecasts hold, the region could see “the biggest three-day snowfall in over three years,” the association quoted weather forecaster Open Snow as saying.
A blizzard warning has also been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) covering parts of the Sierra Nevada, as a “major winter storm” is set to cause “whiteout conditions”.
“Strong winds will cause significant blowing and drifting snow and whiteout conditions, with travel becoming impossible in the Sierra Nevada,” the NWS said on X.
“There is a high chance of substantial, long-lasting disruptions to daily life.”
It said over 5ft (1.5 metres) of snow was expected in higher regions.
The blizzard warning is in effect from 4am local time on Thursday until 10am Sunday.
‘Are you alright, can you hear me?’
The video released by Ski California on social media uses footage from real rescues, including one in which a skier’s leg is seen poking out from the snow moving back and forth in panic.
Another shows snowboarder Ian Steger being dug out of deep snow by skier Francis Zuber, in an off-piste section of Mount Baker, in Washington state.
Mr Zuber inadvertently stumbled across Mr Steger, who had been buried headfirst in snow moments earlier.
In footage which has been viewed millions of times since it emerged last March, Mr Zuber can be heard asking Mr Steger: “Are you alright? Can you hear me?”
The educational video features US Olympian skier Travis Ganong, and warns of the dangers of snow immersion suffocation, which occurs when a skier or snowboarder runs into deep snow or a tree well, cannot move and suffocates.
Watch the video below:
A tree well is the space under its branches that do not get the same amount of snow as the surrounding open space.
“Branches often cover the depth of the well created by the tree trunk, which can be several feet deep, if a person falls in head first, gravity pulls their body down until the loose snow covers their airways,” the video says.
“Without immediate rescue, a rider can die of suffocation within as little as 60 seconds.”
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Giving advice on how to avoid snow immersion, the video says people should always ski with a partner, wear a helmet and carry a whistle to alert others.
For those who fall in deep snow, Ski California recommends the person shouts for help, keeps their head above the surface of the snow, resists the urge to struggle and tries to keep their airways uncovered.
Since 2001, there have been more snow immersion deaths in California than any other state, according to the association.
