A routine descent ended up turning into a moment of great tension in the mountains of Andorra. Skier Ares Masip shared on social media the moment she triggered an avalanche in the Cim de l’Hortell area, at around 2400 meters of altitude, while skiing accompanied by her dog. Both managed to escape without injury.
According to the athlete’s report, it was a well-known place, which she had visited several times throughout the season, including in previous days. Official information pointed to a low to moderate avalanche risk, between levels 1 and 2, which contributed to the decision to make a short and apparently safe exit.
After what happened, Ares Masip left an important warning about the so-called “heuristic trap”, explaining that familiarity with the terrain can create a false sense of security. “It’s not that the conditions were safe, it’s that they seemed safe,” he wrote, highlighting the importance of not letting your guard down, even in familiar scenarios.
