Winter recreationists' self-reported likelihood of skiing backcountry slopes: Investigating the role of situational factors, personal experiences with avalanches and sensation-seeking

•Study used a simulated approach based on textual scenarios of backcountry slopes.•Skiers' perceived likelihood of skiing in avalanche terrain is investigated.•Avalanche danger level and inclination emerge as negative predictors.•Familiarity, snow tracks, equipment use, sensation seeking were positive predictors.•Direct, but not indirect, avalanche experiences predicted likelihood of skiing.

The present study investigated how information about situational characteristics typically encountered by backcountry recreationists influenced their perceived likelihood of skiing backcountry slopes exposed to avalanche danger. Sensation seeking and previous direct and indirect experiences with avalanche accidents were evaluated as relevant individual predictors. Data was collected by implementing randomized textual scenarios, using a sample of 376 backcountry recreationists from North-Italy (84% male; age: M = 39.68, SD = 9.72). Results of multilevel analyses indicated that forecasted avalanche danger level and slope inclination were associated with lower self-reported likelihood of skiing the slopes, while sensation-seeking, familiarity with the slope area, the availability of safety equipment and the presence of tracks on the slope were positively related with selfreported likelihood of skiing. Previous direct involvement in avalanche accidents was also positively associated with perceived likelihood of skiing, suggesting the existence of confidence-enhancing effects related to avalanche survival experiences.