One of the primary and most obvious contributors to an avalanche is fresh snowfall. When learning about backcountry safety and avalanche awareness, it’s crucial to understand how the amount of snow mixed with the other main variables (terrain, aspect, wind, and other layers) come into play. This page discusses why it’s important to factor in […]
Avalanche Awareness 101: Snowfall Read More »
Why Temperature Matters Temperature is one of the most easily observable variables in the backcountry, but also one of the most overlooked when it comes to avalanche risk. Unlike complex snowpack tests or hard-to-read terrain features, temperature is something anyone can track with the right mindset and tools. For skiers and snowboarders who want to
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Why Wind Is a Big Deal For Avalanche Safety Of all the variables that can lead to an avalanche, wind might be the most overlooked risk factor. People tend to put a lot of emphasis on fresh snowfall—which is a huge factor—but the wind can be a bit more uncertain if you don’t know what
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What is a Persistent Slab Avalanche? In the world of avalanche safety, a persistent slab avalanche is one of the most notorious hazards because of how long it can linger. Unlike storm or wind slabs that may stabilize quickly, persistent slabs are caused by weak layers deep within the snowpack, such as buried surface hoar
Avalanche Glossary: Deep Persistent Slabs Read More »
The United States has many regions that include avalanche prone terrain. Over the years, many regional groups have organized to create avalanche forecasts to help people exploring those areas become safer and better informed about the conditions present. Here is a list of different avalanche centers that offer forecasts, bullitens, and other resources to help
Links to Avalanche Forecasts in the United States Read More »
Terrain traps are a major hazard in avalanche terrain. It could be the difference between life and death if you can spot them and know how to avoid them.
Avalanche Glossary: Terrain Traps Read More »