Essential Avalanche Safety Tips

Concise information about what you need to travel safely in the mountains including equipment and route planning

When traveling in avalanche areas what safety gear should you bring?

To travel safely in avalanche areas there is special equipment the needs to be used. This equipment will help you evaluate safe routes and perform rescues if a slide should occur. All members of your group need to carry the following.

How do you know you are in avalanche terrain?

Signs to look for when in avalanche terrain

• While skiing can you see cracks forming in the snow surface around you?
• 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.

Safe route planning

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.

The angle of the slope is one factor that should be considered. Low angle slopes under 25º are unlikely to slide while slopes 30º + are ore likely. Choosing a low angle route when possible is often a better choice.

Selecting a route up the windward side of a ridge will generally be safer since the snow is scoured off the slope and deposited onto the leeward side. There is also less risk from cornices that build over leeward slopes.

If you see recent avalanche activity on a slope with similar characteristics to the one you plan on skiing it is likely that avalanches are occurring. It is best to avoid this slope until it stabilizes.

How are avalanches triggered?

In nature almost all avalanches are triggered by natural forces. Snow loading, winds, warming and debris falling are common triggers of natural avalanches. Unfortunately most avalanche victims are buried by avalanches that were human triggered. Either someone in the immediate group or a group nearby released the slide.

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.

When caught in a slide try to release your skis, poles and pack. These can prevent you from rising up in the slide. Skis can get caught up in trees and brush and break the victims’ legs. While the slide is moving tread like you are in water and as the snow slows down scramble to get to the surface with an arm or leg. This will help the rescuers immensely. If you are buried try too create an air space in front of your face to preserve oxygen.

Avalanches are deadly and failure to respect the areas you venture into can literally cost you your life. Even the most experienced guide can only evaluate the snow pack They can never say definitively whether or not an avalanche will occur. Plan your routes carefully, carry all safety equipment and know how to use it, travel with more experienced people and learn, learn, learn.