Cornices, even small ones, can be highly destructive in the right conditions. Cornices build on the downwind side of wind exposed ridges and summits, ranging from small wind lips to massive overhangs of hard snow. In some cases they can break from the terrain without any warning, occasionally pulling back further than expected onto a flat ridge top. When a cornice breaks it can trigger an avalanche or pull people over cliffs or rocky terrain below.
When cornices are tested and stable they can act as a sweet jump to kick off a ski/snowboard run or an area to practice throwing tricks into steeper terrain below. If you’re like Drew Petersen, you see cornices as a great place to without skis or a snowboard attached to your feet.
