While skiing is fun and for some limitless adventure, it is important to remember that the wild is still just that.

Since the new year, two skiers have died in the East Vail Chutes, an area off the Vail boundary lines but is accessible only by Vail’s back bowls. Vail employee Jesse Brigham and local Matthew Gustafson were both skiing the chutes in the same area, eight days apart, when surprised by avalanches. Gustafson, however, was not skiing alone. Buddy Jackie Rossman was able to shovel out, and called for help. Our hearts go out to them, their friends and their families.

In an article by Steve Lynn of the Vail Daily, U.S. Forest Service Snow Ranger Don Dressler estimated that 150 people ski the area on a busy day, and “about half don’t have the proper equipment, such as beacons, shovels and probes.”

Searches continue elsewhere in Colorado- for a female near Alamosa and two Wolf Creek snowboarders. Some of these searches have also been hampered by the still-prevailing dangerous conditions.

It is important to know avalanche danger can be calculated, and such dangers are carefully watched and monitored in in-bounds areas of Vail and other commercial ski resorts. Its the back country, with its draw of pristine snow and adrenaline, that bear the risk. To avoid avalanche risk, stay in-bounds or learn more. Colorado Mountain College has offered weekend classes in avalanche safety for anyone interested in learning how to calculate avalanche risk.

Additional information provided by News 2, Denver.