A difficult environment
Il Stelvio National Park, via his Facebook profile, issued an important warning to those who practice skiing in the mountains: "For ski mountaineering enthusiasts, the mountains in winter are a pleasure, a freedom, and a challenge. With the right equipment, even the cold becomes part of the experience. For wildlife that live at high altitude, however, winter transforms the mountains into a challenging environment, where the cold and scarcity of food make every move a test of survival."
The behaviors of ungulates
“To face the long winter, ungulates, such as deer and chamois, have developed strategies to minimize energy consumption, which is essential for survival:
- They remain in their refuge areas, protected from predators, where they can conserve heat.
- They slow down vital functions to maintain a stable body temperature despite cold, wind and snow
- They only move when absolutely necessary, because food is scarce.
When disturbed, however, they are forced to flee, expending precious energy in a matter of moments. Running through deep snow can require up to 60 times more effort than in normal conditions.
Advice for ski mountaineers
So what to do? Here's the Park's advice:
- “Avoid forest edges, slopes and snow-free areas, as well as all restricted areas
- Stay on track
- Moving in silence
- Always keep dogs on a leash”
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