Listen to experienced mountaineers… or not? The ‘experience paradox’ of ski tourers’ narratives of risk and experience

Experience is often assumed to reduce risk in ski touring, yet avalanche accidents often involve people perceived to be experienced skiers. Despite increased attention to human factors in avalanche research, little is known about how ski tourers themselves understand and narrate the relationship between experience and risk. Drawing on ten semi-structured in-depth interviews, this article explores ski tourers’ narratives of risk, asking how experience is related to their understanding and description of risk in ski touring. Data were analysed using stepwise deductive-inductive analysis and a sociological framework. The analysis identifies an ‘experience paradox,’ in which experience is portrayed both as a source of safety and as a factor associated with increased risk acceptance and incident involvement. This conceptualization highlights ambiguity in narratives linking experience and risk. The findings also extend research on risk and recognition in lifestyle sports by emphasizing experience as central to distinction and legitimacy in risk-taking.