[bigbob]

‘expert riders and were equipped with proper backcountry gear, including avalanche beacons”

People on this thread seem pretty damned harsh. Five people died here.

[WellyP]

Back country rule #1: Be prepared. Rule #2 don't ski or ride in known high risk slide areas with heavy snow loads. Break those 2 very basic rules and at some point you are going to get caught in or set off a slide. If you get out, you are lucky, if not, you win a Darwin Award! Your choice, A-hole!