Representations of the Avalanche Risk Among Winter Outdoor Activities Practitioners in the Vosges Mountains

Whereas numerous studies questioned the risk concept in France, few so far have focused on medium-high altitude avalanches, even though those occur on a regular basis. This article studies how winter outdoor activities practitioners apprehend avalanche risk in the Vosges Mountains (North-East of France). Our survey demonstrates that their perception of both the mountain environment and the avalanche risk is influenced by their culture of sports and mountains in general. Our analysis shows a diversity in knowledge and perception of the risk. However, a significant number of practitioners (including hikers, skiers or mountaineers) seem to have no culture at all of the avalanche risk, which prevents them from realising that they are exposed. As a consequence, one can say that this lack of feeling vulnerable has led to an absence of mental construction of the avalanche risk in the Vosges mountains.