Replying to Social media forces (semi) pro skiers taking higher risks

Attention Opinion!

Ay NS com,
first of all I am pretty stoked that the eastern Alps finally got the first big snowfall of 2017 after a long starving period. The consequences of big snowfalls are often higher avalanche risks all over the mountain. Wind drifted snow, cornices, lots of loose sluff in couloirs and so on.

I was browsing Instagram, checking out what some buddies, pro skiers, photographers or magazines were posting about the recent dump. I realized that a good percentage of them posted pictures skiing the freshies. #untouchedpowder #nofriendsonapowderday #newyeardump #powderwithfriends #firstlines #avybackpack #touringisfreedom or other dumb hashtags were obviously used.

Well I wouldn' t actually mind at all about all that, if they considered the current avy risk here. Skiing in obviously steep alpine terrain is just irresponsible, when the avy risk is rated at a high 3. Just read any snow pack review of the big mountain associations or avy service website. Oh and because that's not enough, why not brag on instagram with your retarded hashtags, motivating people who re new to touring and BC in general to do the same bullshit just for #firstlines and showing off on instagram, facebook, pinterest whatever how rad they are.

I am aware of the fact that a 3 doesn't mean: Don't ski, tour, hike or climb at all. With some knowledge about the snow layers, reports from the local avy service and sane risk calculation you can also tell that a 3 is more likely to be a 2. Well but the current conditions are 3 to 3,5 (alpine), 2 below tree line. Obviously depending what directions your spotted line faces, steepness and character of the terrain.

Due to the rider's "duty" delivering their sponzaars, social media community or magazines some s!ck pics (nowadays) it seems they re taking higher risks from year to year. No followers -> sponzars will loose interest, cause you re no more attracting the crowds -> less presence of sponzar's products -> less sales -> drop the rider.

Do you NS think that the strong presence of social media in our and (semi) pro skier's life forces them to take on higher risks to pleasure sponsors and the community around them?

p.s. An avy airbag backpack doesn't lower the avalanche risk either.