Ski touring, and thus backcountry skiing, is a rapidly growing activity. Many people in North America are sick of the crowds and lines that gather at popular ski resorts (not to mention the traffic on the way to the resort).
But backcountry skiing and snowboarding isn’t for everyone, and people shouldn’t be walking into the backcountry without a proper understanding of what they’re getting into. YouTuber PeakRankings provides a list of many of the things you need to know before getting in to the backcountry.
One of the most important factors that everyone needs to understand before heading into the backcountry is the concepts surrounding avalanche safety. Know Before You Go is a great place to start, focusing on avalanche awareness, encouraging skiers and snowboarder to get the forecast, get the gear, get the education, and get the picture.
Colorado Avalanche Information Center Basic Avalanche Safety:
Avalanches are possible any time you have snow on a slope. The best thing you can do before you head into the mountains is check the avalanche forecast.
If you are traveling where there isn’t a current avalanche forecast, here are some simple things that will help you avoid avalanches.
- Avalanches are possible when you have snow on a slope steeper than about 30 degrees.
- Most avalanches happen during or soon after a big snowstorm, period of strong winds, or during a thaw (rapid increase in temperature).
- Signs of higher avalanche danger include recent avalanches, cracking in the snow, and audible collapsing. Avoid traveling on or under similar slopes.
If you want to dig deeper, you can view a list of educational resources on our Education Resources page.