Exploring the gendered landscape of the avalanche safety industry – barriers, benefits and potential drawbacks of professional diversity

Abstract

Snow and avalanche safety is a male dominated field. The aim of this paper is to increase the knowledge on the gendered conditions and the prerequisites this poses for snow and avalanche safety professionals, and to shed light on why relatively few women enter and stay in the industry. Our analysis is based on quantitative and qualitative data from a survey sent out to avalanche professionals in North America, Continental Europe, and Scandinavia. We inductively coded and categorized responses to open-ended questions into themes based on patterns and commonalities, using a content analysis. We find that avalanche work requires a wide skill set - skills that are traditionally associated with men as well as skills that are traditionally associated with women, and that our participants think that increased diversity at large would benefit the industry. However, our data also reveal persisting cultural and structural gender barriers that make it more difficult for women and non-binary individuals to enter and thrive in the industry compared to men. We discuss management implications that can help make the industry better for all.