Tips for staying safe on the slopes this season

While fresh powder might be tempting, experts say the early skiand snowboardseason can be risky.

A 27-year-old snowboarder suffocated after falling face first into the soft, deep powder on Blackcomb Mountain this weekend.

Christopher Nicolson, CEO of the Canada West Ski Areas Association, has skied extensively for the past 30 years. He said the early season snow pack is looser and shallower compared with snowlater in the season.

Take it easy. Warm up for the season not just for the day.- Christopher Nicolson, CEO of the Canada West Ski Areas Association

"If you walked into the trees and found a boulder in the early season, you might only have two, three, five feet of snow [on top]. If you were going to go into that same spot in February or March, that snow might be twenty feet thick and the obstacle might be removed and the skier, snowboarder is going to go right across," he said.

Nicolson said, people may not be ready hit the slopes yet.

"Physically, we're not quite tuned up yet. Our muscles are not working as well as they will be in a couple of months in terms of skiing and snowboarding muscles," he said.

Despite being the start of the season, Nicolson advises skiers and snowboarders shouldn't get too excited and try and hit all their favourite runs at once.

"Take it easy. Warm up for the season, not just for the day."

Nicolson also recommends skiers and snowboarders stay on marked, groomed runs. He also recommends skiing or boarding with a buddy within sight and earshot, accounting for the fact that sound can get muffled.

"Skiing with a buddy doesn't mean just you meet at the bottom of the chair and go up again," he said.

Other risks

Nicolson said it's not just skiers and snowboarders who have to be cautious when they're out in the snow.

"As soon as you go into the backcountry, then there's whole other risks like avalanche," he said, adding hikers, campers and those snowshoeing have to beware.

"We've seen a lot of people in the mountains who feel just because they're snowshoeing, somehow they're safe. They're just not aware that if you've got terrain up above you, there's a chance of avalanche."

With files from The Early Edition

To listen to the interview, click on the link labelled Staying safe on the snowy slopes