Many snowboarders like free riding in the pure deep snow. Most are aware that this can be dangerous.

I have also heard of dangers of avalanches and other stuff but I have thought that could never happen to me. The fact is that it has not happened yet...

However, something else happened. I was enjoying the pure snow and powder riding down the slopes from the top of Borovets at more than 2300 meters above see level. Then at some point I lost control and fell down... None of my friends was around me... The fall was quite comfortable in the deep snow and not to mention - absolutely harmless. In the next seconds I was trying to get up and continue my ride but to no avail.

In order to get up I should have had a firm base to push myself up. Alternatively the slope should had been steep enough to manage with a few rolls to take a heading down position. Unfortunately these two were not met.

I tried to get up on my feet and it was then when I fell how deep the snow is. I could not reach the ground at all. I have to say here that I am not the shortest guy - I am 189 cm or 6.13 feet. I did not make any more attempts to get up of course.

Then I began to crawl on my knees while my hands were holding firmly the snowboard in front of me. I was springing the snowboard with my hands ahead to establish a stable base where I can move my body with my knees.

This was until I got to a steeper point where I moved my whole body on the snowboard and began sliding down. I was navigating with my hands and feet fairly well. Struggling miserably like this I had managed to pass a few more meters and get near a ski run.

Finally I was safe - I had firm snow cover beneath me.

Later I have checked the info about the snow cover in this part of the mountain. It was 190 cm or 6.16 feet - just a bit higher then my height. Then I realized how lucky I am...

I was lucky because I had to pass just a few hundred meters in the impassable snow. I was lucky that part of the route was steep enough and I managed to navigate the board in that funny way.

Whether you are snowboarding in Bulgaria or anywhere else, you must be aware of the dangers of the deep snow. If you can imagine how terrible a drowning is, try to imagine similarly what falling in deep snow would be...

If you come upon a similar situation, my advices are:

1) Look for tree branches - very often there are pine tree branches on top or a bit under the snow. These branches can be used to move and steady your body;

2) Look for rocks, ice or anything else you can get to and use it as 1)

3) Rely on your snowboard in all your moves;

4) Try practicing moving in deep snow. You should know what it is like and should not panic wasting precious time and efforts;

5) Make sure your phone's battery lasts in the cold temperatures.

Without a doubt I will be much more careful with the deep snow from this point on. Peace to those who haven't been and haven't had my luck...