A Book and DVD for Christmas

This is not a book to cheer you up but never the less its an uplifting and interesting read about a journey from tragedy back to life and happiness.  It's a must for anyone who guides in the mountains and will definitely make you think when in avalanche terrain.  Amazon synopsis below:

On January 20, 2003, at 10:45 a.m., a massive avalanche released from Tumbledown Mountain in the Selkirk Range of British Columbia. Tonnes of snow carried 13 members of two guided back country skiing groups down the 37-degree incline of a run called La Traviata and buried them. After a frantic hour of digging by remaining group members, an unthinkable outcome became reality. Seven people were dead.

The tragedy made international news, splashing photos of the seven dead Canadian and US skiers on television screens and the pages of newspapers. The official analysis did not specifically note guide error as a contributing factor in the accident. This interpretation has been insufficient for some of the victims' families, the public and some members of the guiding community.

Why did the guiding team seemingly ignore a particularly troublesome snow pack? Why were two groups travelling so close together? Were the guides adhering to best practises for terrain selection and snow stability evaluation? What motivated them to go there?

Buried is the assistant guides story. It renders an answerable truth about what happened by delving deep into the human factors that played into putting people in harms way. The story begins buried metres deep in snow, and through care-filled reflection emerges slowly like spring after a long winter, nurturing a hopeful, courageous dialogue for all who make journeys through the mountains of their life. The story illustrates the peace that comes from accountability and the growth that results from understanding.

Also about the same tragedy and well worth watching for it's superb ski scenes is "A Life Ascending" about the life of the head guide at SME of whom much is said in "Buried".  You can make up your own mind about him.  I have!