Know Your Own Competence

Abstract

First paragraph: Backcountry skiing requires us to make decisions in an inherently uncertain environment with possibly fatal consequences. However, skills and competences to recognize and avoid the possible dangers in avalanche terrain can help to reduce these dangers and render the residual risk "acceptable." Also, there is a sense in which to be a responsible backcountry enthusiast is to be one who has acquired competences to deal with the relevant dangers. Thus, being a competent decision-maker is not only important to reduce the overall risk involved, but also plays a pivotal role in rendering an engagement in so-called "extreme sports" socially acceptable.