• Recognizing Avalanche Indicators
• Avoiding Terrain Traps
• Moving Through Gnarly Terrain

Recognizing Avalanche Indicators

What does the avalanche bulletin say?

Don't leave home without checking this crucial source of safety information.

Any recent avalanches in the area?

Look and ask around. Pay attention to nature's signs.

Storms still happening or just ended?

Avalanches most often occur during and following heavy storms, when snow loads increase dramatically.

Wind blowing the snow onto or across the slope in the last few hours?

Look for signs of snow drifting. Slab avalanches are common on loaded lee slopes or slopes with cross winds.

Air temperatures warming or near 0 degrees?

Avalanches are more likely during warming trends as heavy new snow overlies light snow. When the snow nears 0 degrees it becomes weaker.

Any cracking or "wumphing" in the snow as you travel?

Use your ears as well as your eyes to stay safe. If you see the snow cracking as you travel it indicates a slab avalanche condition. Wumphs (sudden settlements) indicates the collapse of weak layers in the snow below you.

Avoiding Terrain Traps

Terrain traps are the nasty places you don't want to go in an avalanche. If you are caught in an avalanche then you don't want to get:

• Carried into the trees or rocks
• Carried over a cliff
• Carried into a hole which will fill up with snow
• Stuck in a gully you can't get out of

So ride lines which offer some escape route, and plan your escape ahead of time. Have a clear idea of what you will do if you do trigger an avvie when riding that line. And do it every time so it becomes second nature.

Avoid the traps whenever possible

If you see a line that is loaded with Terrain Traps just leave it alone.

Moving Through Gnarly Terrain

• Move one at a time through exposed terrain
• Watch your buddy from a safe position
• Move from safe spot to safe spot
• Ski away from the avalanche runout zone to a safe spot to regroup