Interview study on couloir riding
Into the Steep — Practitioner Interview Study
Into the Steep
Practitioner Interviews
A qualitative research study exploring the knowledge, practices, and culture of steep couloir skiing.
Book Your Interview Slot
Select a time that works for you. We will book a 45-minute slot to allow for a relaxed conversation within the 30–45 minute interview window.
Choose a Time Slot🔒 Your information is used only for scheduling and the purposes of this study.
About the Study
What Draws People In — and How They Navigate It
This research project investigates the world of steep couloir skiing — the motivations that draw people to it, the expertise required to do it safely, and the role of avalanche education in this specialist community.
We are conducting in-depth interviews with experienced practitioners to build a richer picture of how knowledge is acquired, shared, and practiced in this demanding discipline. Your insights will contribute to better education and safer practices across the wider backcountry community.
The interview is conversational and semi-structured. There are no right or wrong answers — we are interested in your unique perspective and lived experience.
What We'll Talk About
Interview Topics
- 01. Your skiing background and experience in steep terrain
- 02. What draws you to couloir skiing and how that has evolved
- 03. How you approach, plan, and execute steep couloir routes
- 04. Risk assessment and safety practices specific to this terrain
- 05. Your experience with avalanche education and its relevance
- 06. Advice you'd offer to those new to steep skiing
Participant Criteria
Who We're Looking For
Active Couloir Skiers
You regularly ski steep couloirs and consider it a meaningful part of your backcountry practice — regardless of how you define "regularly."
Experience in Steep Terrain
You have accumulated experience skiing steep or technical backcountry terrain and have developed your own approach to it over time.
Willing to Reflect and Share
You're comfortable speaking candidly about your practices, decision-making, and opinions on the culture and education around steep skiing.
Logistics
What to Expect
The Research Team
Who is Responsible for the Project?
We are a team of researchers, anthropologists, philosophers, and practitioners with different backgrounds and from different institutions — but all of us are interested in couloir riding.
Tim Dassler
Trained as a philosopher, multidisciplinary researcher, and avalanche educator. Tim is currently doing his PhD on avalanche education at CARE — The Center for Avalanche Research and Education at UiT The Arctic University of Norway.
tim.dassler@uit.noTarjei Tveito Skille
Trained as an anthropologist and avid skier. Tarjei is currently doing his PhD at CARE — The Center for Avalanche Research and Education at UiT The Arctic University of Norway.
Ethics & Privacy
Your Participation is Protected
This study is approved by the Norwegian Agency for Shared Services in Education and Research (SIKT ref.no.: 647763) and conducted in accordance with ethical research standards. All interviews are transcribed and reported anonymously. You are free to decline any question, pause the interview at any time, or withdraw your consent after the fact. A Data Protection Officer is available for any concerns.