Below is footage shot by snowboarder Viktor Helgi Hjartarson showing how his friend started an avalanche in the Akureyri ski resort Hlíðarfjall, North Iceland, last winter. The video was uploaded on YouTube by local newspaper Akureyri Vikublað on Thursday and had been watched by more than 1,000 viewers by Friday afternoon.

Director of Hlíðarfjall Guðmundur Karl Jónsson told the newspaper it’s of upmost importance that those who practice off-piste skiing or snowboarding carry suitable safety gear.

“It’s the so-called ‘holy trinity’ that people should always take with them: an avalanche whistle, a pole and shovel,” he stated. “The use of helmets is much talked about but it’s even more important to bring a whistle, not that I want to prioritize one safety gear above another.”

A full-time employee carefully monitors avalanche risk in Hlíðarfjall, Guðmundur added. He stated there is plenty of snow in the mountain for skiing at the moment, even though it has hardened a bit with the recent thaw. “We just need a little bit more snow and the slopes will go back to being soft and smooth.”

Click here to read about recent avalanches and weather-bound travelers in Iceland.

ESA