Here's a quick look at some of the top ski news stories this month:

Video: Climbers face sudden avalanche! 😳🫣 - 🎥 BVIRAL / redddlong — UNILAD

Swiss ‘White Risk’ Avalanche App Wins Award

The Swiss avalanche safety application, ‘White Risk,’ has been recognized for its innovative approach to avalanche prevention. According to PlanetSKI, the app, which began as a CD-ROM, now boasts over 100,000 users and focuses on education, risk awareness, and preparation for backcountry travel.

  • White Risk was almost discontinued in 2016 but has become a leader in alpine safety.
  • The app has been available since 2009, with a synchronized web platform added in 2013.
  • Features include avalanche bulletins, learning modules, a tour planning tool, and a navigation device.
  • Users can submit real-time observations of avalanches or cracks to avalanche warning services.
  • Slope angle information is available from Austria to Spain. Avalanche terrain maps (CAT and ATH) are available for Austria and France.
Snowplow clearing path on Swiss mountain, sign warns of avalanche danger.
Photo by Jean-Paul Wettstein on Pexels

Behind the Scenes with Mia Brookes

PlanetSKI reports that you can get a behind-the-scenes look at a Freestyle Snowboard training camp in Switzerland with Great Britain's Mia Brookes, as well as other world-leading athletes. They're preparing to compete at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

Avalanche warning sign on snowy trail in Swiss Alps with panoramic mountain views.
Photo by Jean-Paul Wettstein on Pexels

Western Canada Glaciers Record Second Worst Ice Loss

Glaciers in western Canada are disappearing at an alarming rate. Citing research from the Hakai Institute, PlanetSKI reports that 2025 saw the second-worst year on record for ice loss, with an estimated 30 gigatonnes of ice melted.

  • Brian Menounos of the Hakai Institute warns that the glaciers *will* disappear, and are doing so faster than previously projected.
A striking aerial view of glaciers amidst the French Alps enveloped in clouds.
Photo by Marek Piwnicki on Pexels

Russia & Belarus Athletes at Olympics

Despite the ban on Russia and Belarus following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, some athletes from these countries will be allowed to compete in the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN). According to PlanetSKI, the IOC has sanctioned the participation of 20 competitors, with up to 13 from Russia and seven from Belarus.

  • Athletes have been vetted to ensure they have no ties to their respective militaries or supported the offensive in Ukraine.
  • They will compete in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, speed skating, and ski mountaineering.
  • AINs will not participate in the Athletes’ Parade, but will be offered an opportunity to experience the event in Milan and the mountain clusters.
  • Competitors are not permitted to display national symbols.

Notable athletes include figure skaters Adelia Petrosyan and Pyotr Gumennik (Russia), alpine skier Maria Shkanova (Belarus) and freestyle skiers Anna Derugo, Anastasiya Andryianava and Hanna Huskova (Belarus).

The IOC has not confirmed whether Russian and Belarusian athletes will be allowed to take part in the closing ceremony.

Video by Wietse van den Hout on Pexels

Avalanches Help Glaciers Survive

A new international scientific survey, reported by PlanetSKI, suggests that avalanches play a vital role in the survival of glaciers. The study, led by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), found that in some regions, over a fifth of the snow covering glaciers comes from avalanches.

  • The analysis was based on satellite measurements and models that calculate glacier evolution and snow mass movements.
  • Marin Kneib, a WSL glaciologist and lead author of the study, noted the previously unknown influence of avalanches on glaciers.