Now, reports are emerging that in one remote ski chalet cut off by the avalanche, a ‘house of horror’ situation was unfolding, leaving four Britons dead and two hospitalised.
-- Narrator (Preface)

Importance: Ware opens her novel with this report in the BBC News that foreshadows what will happen in the first five days that Snoop employees are in retreat at Chalet Perce-Neige. The reader knows in the beginning that four people will die. The mystery remains who will die and who kills them.

Why did I come? Why? / But I know the answer. / I came because I couldn’t afford not to.
-- Narrator - Liz (Chapter 1)

Importance: When Liz reminds herself that she could not afford not to come on this ski retreat, it is suggested that she is thinking about the financial gain she will realize if the buyout goes through. In reality, Liz has planned from the beginning to kill Eva so that she will finally...