Skiing in avalanche terrain with or without a leader: how does the skiers' evaluative criteria for group performance differ?

A competent leader can help to improve group performance, for example by helping group members to choose actions that reduce risk; however an incompetent leader can hurt performance and increase risk when group members follow uncritically. Recreational ski groups rarely have a formal leadership hierarchy. Here, we conducted a study to investigate skiers’ self-evaluation of touring in groups with and without a leader. We developed a survey measuring skier’ group dynamics, interpersonal trust and confidence in decisions. We surveyed 215 skiers (two cohorts: with-leader, n=101; without-leader, n=114) about their last ski trip. We tested between-cohort differences on group performance. Then we used factor analysis to reduce data dimensions of each cohort separately, to find components that reflect what the skiers found important in group performance. A group of experts discussed and agreed upon the nature of components. The tests did not reveal any differences in trust and confidence between cohorts, even after controlling for potential confounders. However, we found skiers’ evaluative criteria substantially differed between cohorts. Specifically, skiers with a leader emphasized the role of group openness, followed by members’ relevant competence in avalanche assessment and then a sense of involvement; those without leaders highlighted preparedness, followed by harmony. Both match logically with leader presence/absence, and criteria for without-leader skiers are arguably characterised by less sensible group risk mitigation strategies.