Avalanche Safety

• Each year many people are killed in avalanches (see list of North American accidents).
• Most fatal avalanches are triggered by the people caught in them.
• Weak layers of snow buried by subsequent snowfall cause a large majority of fatal avalanches.
• About 25% of avalanche fatalities are caused by the impact of the avalanche.
• After an avalanche stops, the snow usually sets as hard as concrete making it impossible for victims to move or clear a breathing space.
• Victims buried for more than 15 minutes have less than a 50% survival rate, so it is important that everyone in the group be properly equipped and well-versed in rescue procedures.

Avalanche Safety Guidelines
Before skiing in the backcountry of mountainous areas follow the following basic guidelines:

• Take an avalanche safety course given by a reputable instructor to learn how to avoid being caught in an avalanche and what to do if one occurs.
• Find out if there are any avalanche-prone areas where you are planning to ski by checking with the nearest ranger station or backcountry ski store and referring to maps and guidebooks.
• If there are a possibility of avalanches occurring where you are going, consult the region's avalanche advisory and get the latest weather forecast. Even if the avalanche rating is low there may be areas where blowing snow or other factors create a higher risk.
• If there is a possibility of avalanches, consider postponing your trip or going to safer area. Never let the thrill of the sport outweigh the possible danger.
• Consider hiring a professional guide that knows the area or joining a guided tour with an experienced leader. Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, American Mountain Guides Association or Mountain Guides International should certify mountain guides.
• Don't go into avalanche terrain without proper training and equipment. It is vitally important that each person in the group carries avalanche rescue equipment and knows how to use it.
• Think for yourself when skiing with a group without an experienced leader. Don't fall into the sheep mentality and follow the others blindly without evaluating the risk.