Essential Avalanche Safety Tips

Skills and equipment for safe travel in avalanche areas

Equipment all group members must carry

Any group of people traveling in avalanche areas must carry a shovel, transceiver and avalanche probe. Remember, training is required and practice to effectively use this equipment especially while under duress. Depending on the group size there should be one or two people carry a first aid kit. Bringing a ski repair kit, can save you from having to walk out. Bring some extra clothes and an emergency blanket in case you need to spend the night.

Recognizing avalanche terrain

Many of the signs that you are in an area where avalanches are possible are easy to spot while others take a more experienced eye. Many of the methods for recognizing potential avalanches are:

• Is there avalanche activity in the area you plan to ski?
• Has there been a lot of precipitation in the last day and a half?
• Has there been any snow loading caused by high winds?
• Is the temperature above freezing or rapidly rising?

Other Signs indicating avalanche danger

• Are large cracks forming out from where you are while skiing or snowboarding?
• Whumpf sounds are layers in the snow pack collapsing. This is an indication of high avalanche hazard.
• Abrupt temperature changes or heavy snow, wind, rain and high winds can all increase avalanche hazards.

How do I plan a safe route through avalanche areas?

When planning a safe route through avalanche terrain it is important the all members of the group be involved with route planning. The more experienced members should relay what effects the current conditions and the group should decide together which route to take.

Sometimes there is no choice but to ski across a suspect slope. When faced with this it is important that only one group member cross at a time. You should remove pole and ski straps an undo any straps on your pack. While crossing all group members should watch the person crossing. Cross the slope stopping in a pre designated safe zone.

Angle of the slope should also be considered shallower slopes are generally safer, below 24º a slope rarely slides. Avalanches are more likely on slopes over 32º or 33º.

If possible choose a route on the windward side of the ridge since there will be far less wind deposited snow. You also avoid overhanging cornices that build over leeward slopes.

A sure sign of avalanche activity is slides that have occurred. If slopes similar to the one you plan on skiing have slid then it is likely the one you are looking at can slide as well.

What triggers an avalanche to start?

The vast majority of avalanches are natural triggered. Usually the result of overloading of new snow, wind deposited snow or debris falling. Unfortunately most avalanches that involve people are triggered by the victim.

What do you do if you are caught in an avalanche?

If you see an avalanche approaching from above try to ski out to the side of the slope and avoid the slide. Ski down and to one side as quickly as possible. Never try to out run a large avalanche.

If the unthinkable happens and you are caught in a slide try to remove you pack and skis and get rid of your poles. All these can serve as anchors and actually hinder your chance of survival. Move your arms and legs as you would treading water. This will work the same way in snow and actually keep you near the top of the flow. As you feel the snow start to slow down start to struggle for the surface. Make one last push to get any part of your body above the surface of the snow as you feel the snow stop. Even a glove above the surface of the snow will dramatically speed up rescue.

Whenever there is accumulated snow on a sloped surface the potential for avalanches is present. The key to traveling safely in avalanche terrain is to reduce the risk by examining all the factors that can trigger a slide. By recognizing dangerous conditions you can eliminate routes that are unsafe and have a great day in the backcountry.