Episode 9: Playing the Numbers Game with Sam Cohen and Cody Hughes

Thanks for tuning in to Episode 9 of the Salt Lake Snowcast. I wanted to get this one out as soon as possible as I  think it is an incredibly important episode going into this weekend. After the usual backcountry update, I have an honest and vulnerable conversation with local pro skier Sam Cohen and our friend, ski guide, and avalanche forecaster Cody Hughes. Sam was caught, carried, and partially buried in an avalanche this past week and wanted to come on the show to tell the full story. With the help of Cody and Sam, the three of us debrief the current phenomenon right now in the Wasatch where, despite scary moderate danger with a persistent weak layer avalanche problem, the backcountry looks like a ski resort with tracks on every avalanche path as far as the eye can see. 

I keep going back to this quote from the show where Cody says “People are hedging their bets right now and what that means is they’re gambling.” You can stack the odds in your favor all day long and talk yourself into skiing avalanche terrain, but with a persistent weak layer, you’re still rolling the dice. And you know what…the thing about gambling is that the house always wins. At the end of the day, it’s a numbers game.

Thanks for being here and giving us a listen. Feel free to send a DM or an email with any questions about today’s show. saltlakesnowcast@gmail.com