Does anybody know about the deal with these yellow areas? Are they controlled / patrolled? Are they marked so as to keep people within 'safe' zones?? As I'm not quite sure of what these marked freeride areas are all about, so is it still recommended to ride with the usual freeride safety gear (transceiver / ABS etc)?
thanks for any info
Despite its altitude, Flims may not be the best place in April for freeriding. Most of the area is south facing and you have to be up pretty early to get any decent firn that may form.
Wherever you freeride you have to take complete responsibility for yourself. Be aware of the terrain and the avalanche risk and carry appropriate safety equipment. There are places and conditions I go without any special precautions because I know the area is completely safe, there are other areas and conditions where I take everything with me. If you are not familar with the terrain err on the side of caution.
You would not likely need the safety equipment mentioned, your not really doing back country miles away from the piste/resort type skiing.
I did the three on La Siala a few a weeks back, the one that leads back to Plaun is quite tricky, but good fun, particularly the bottom bit through the trees.
While good practice to ski with the transponder, usually these are not needed in such areas.
What is good practice though, is to programme the ski resort's rescue number as a quick dial option.
As for equipment - well these two are in zones which IMV _could_ be at avalanche risk, although clearly they will not be open if the resort authorities believe it to be the case. But I've been so used to skiing with transceiver and backpack with shovel and probe for 15 years or so that I wouldn't even think twice, but always have them if I'm doing any off piste.
I'm not suggesting that it's likely, but then I try and avoid skiing anywhere that avalanches would be, but don't forget that in recent years there have been avalanches reaching onto open pistes, particularly late in the season, so why not minimise the risk still further by taking the right kit with you, if you already have it?
Though the risk is minimal, tiny on the freeride runs, why not get used to carrying the kit if you have it, even if you don't need to use it. After all, one would hope you never need to use it.
Take it easy the first time down, get used to the hidden surprises. I got a bit carried away and did not realise I was running out of ground and got about ten feet of air over a ridge unexpectedly, was a bit of a jolt.