Although plenty of people play it lip-service, very few riders actually go off-piste properly, by taking responsibility for themselves and for their friends.

Going off-piste is as serious as going climbing or mountaineering. Only an idiot would do it poorly equipped or with a lack of knowledge. Unfortunately many do both.

These days there is no excuse for not taking the Holy Trinity with you if you are heading off-piste. To be precise, you need:

1. Transceiver
2. Probe
3. Shovel

Backcountry experts, Facewest, specialise in avalanche safety advice and equipment.

Owner, Jake Herbert, explains: 'How many people spend a couple few hundred pounds before their holiday on designer sunglasses and a trendy jacket? We can sell an F1 Transceiver and Telescopic shovel for £195. It might sound like a lot, but it will last a lifetime - more important it may save your - or someone else's life.'

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