Introduction

The main hazard associated with avalanches is being buried or being carried into trees and rocks. It is important to understand the potential for avalanches before going skiing or snowboarding and to prepare in case you do get stuck in one.

Snow Sports at Resorts

Resort use many methods to ensure the safety of skiers and snowboarders. They often prepare the snow using a machine called a Snowcat that churns, tills and compacts the upper layer of snow. This increases the snow density and hardness, which helps bond the snow more tightly and acts as a preventative for avalanches. As such, resorts have a low avalanche hazard.

Snow Sports at Back Country Locations

Since the back country is not as regulated as resorts, the probability for avalanches are much higher. Although there is avalanche control for these areas and avalanches aren't likely, they are still possible. Make sure to wear an avalanche beacon if you are planning to ski off-piste.

To check for the potential of avalanches, you should find out the conditions of the snow layers. This can be done by taking a tube and stabbing it into the snow to pull out a chunk of the snow mass. If there are layers of weakly bonded, low density snow buried under higher density snow, this is called upside down snow and indicates an avalanche hazard. In contrast, if there is high density snow underneath low density now, this is called right-side up snow and is ideal for skiing and snowboarding. Remember that higher density now is associated with warmer temperatures. That means that if there is a warm front, the top layer will have higher density snow. When you are checking the pressure-level map, check for warm fronts before going on your skiing or snowboarding trip.