Another Avy Death in ID

The accident report makes a point of mentioning that the 2 skiers caught in the slide both had their Dynafit toes in climbing non-release mode. Conceivably a non-releasing ski could serve as an anchor and drag victims lower; I sure can't see how it would help flotation. On the other hand, I've seen Dynafit toe pre-releases that have caused spectacular and dangerous sliding falls down steep terrain.

What's the concensus (if any) on locking the toe down and potentially creating an anchor vs risking pre-releases?

The accident report makes a point of mentioning that the 2 skiers caught in the slide both had their Dynafit toes in climbing non-release mode. Conceivably a non-releasing ski could serve as an anchor and drag victims lower; I sure can't see how it would help flotation. On the other hand, I've seen Dynafit toe pre-releases that have caused spectacular and dangerous sliding falls down steep terrain.

What's the concensus (if any) on locking the toe down and potentially creating an anchor vs risking pre-releases?

Here we go again but I can't resist. When I brought up the subject of pre-release on Dynafits I got the usual dogma from the dynadevotees. I was told that pre-release NEVER happened and that most European guides would laugh at you if you did not lock your toes in. I usually lock my toes in only on hardpack, icy conditions where a pre-release would cause a slide for life and avy conditions non- existant. On Saturday I was skiing with my dynfiddlies in the Crystal BC.. The snow was Ok but had a strange spongy feel that made your tails sink in. On one slope I was skiing down, got a little in the backseat due to the strange snow conditions and pre-released out of my skis. I had not locked my toes as we were in avy terrain.
I first thought I had not cleared ice from beneath the toe-plate so I made sure it was cleaned out properly ( there was nothing there
)and inserted my toe and really shook the ski to make sure it has engaged properly as I routinely do now. I skied again and almost immediately pre-released again. I locked my toes so I could get down the slope but I didn't like doing it.

Skis are well documented as being anchors in avalanches and it is my humble opinion that you should not lock your toes in when in avy terrain. It is also my humble opinion and experience that in certain snow conditions, dynafits do pre-release and frequently and I don't care how many damn replies I get quoting technical reasons why they do not.
I also think they are very good bindings and have learned to love mine with recognition of their inherent faults.

This is the part that stuck out to me: "Skier 2 began to descend an estimated 30 seconds or more after Skier 1. Skiers 3 and 4 followed Skier 2 after similar intervals."

It is possible that this relatively close following interval is what caused two skiers, rather than one, to get caught.  With two skiers caught, it worse than doubles your chance of a fatality because, in addition to there being two victims, your ratio of rescuers to victims drops from 3:1 to 1:1.

That is illustrated here: "Skier 1 meanwhile reached Skier 2 in an estimated 10 minutes and then spent five minutes extricating him, from the tree he had hit . .  Skier 1 then moved on to search for Skier 3 and Skier 4 (whom she believed was buried). Skier 1 located the completely buried Skier 3 in an estimated three minutes . . . Skier 1 estimates it took ten minutes to uncover and extricate Skier 3.. . An estimated thirty minutes elapsed from the time of the avalanche to the time the Skier 3 was extricated and her airway opened.  "

That timeline suggests that having only one rescuer immediately on the scene added a minimum of 10 minutes, perhaps 15 minutes, to the burial time of Skier 3.

The observation is intended, of course, with no disrespect to anyone involved or their families.

What's the concensus (if any) on locking the toe down and potentially creating an anchor vs risking pre-releases?

I've skied on Dynafit TLT's for 10 plus years without locking the toe down.  I can not recall experiencing pre-releases. I'm 6'3" and 205 pounds and used the TLT's on extended glacier tours with a heavy pack.  FWIW !

I've skied on Dynafit TLT's for 10 plus years without locking the toe down.  I can not recall experiencing pre-releases. I'm 6'3" and 205 pounds and used the TLT's on extended glacier tours with a heavy pack.  FWIW !

No disrespect Zap, but I'm 6ft-1", 230 lbs with ski gear and pack, skied on comforts for 2years and have had many pre-releases in both hardpack and powder conditions not caused by icing under the toe piece or incorrect insertion. I do not lock in Avy conditions but do lock on hardpack.

No disrespect Zap, but I'm 6ft-1", 230 lbs with ski gear and pack, skied on comforts for 2years and have had many pre-releases in both hardpack and powder conditions not caused by icing under the toe piece or incorrect insertion. I do not lock in Avy conditions but do lock on hardpack.

Had mine prerelease too in deep powder last week (not locked in).  I was leaning way back to keep my tips up and when I turned the ski just went on it's own little trip (thank god for leashes).  I'll lock them down for the hairy descents or on really hard/crappy ice when I'm likely to flex the heal prongs things out of the boot's fittings (it has happened on a few occasions), but under normal conditions I like the idea of the skis leaving my body when called for and they do that just fine. Even with my DIN set to 6 they don't normally pre release - I'm 5'6" 145 BTW

Thane and I just downed a few pints discussing the benefits of a Marker Baron toe / Dynfit heal monster binding.  No wonder we can't pick up women in bars :