Thanks to the Avoriaz Alpine Ski School for this quick tutorial on how to use your ski poles to quickly get an estimate of slope angles in the backcountry and avoid avalanche prone terrain.
“It’s really useful to know whether the slope is more or less than 30° because when it’s more than 30°,you’re much more likely to trigger avalanches.”
The method is quite easy, simply mark out one poles length in the snow down the fall line and then pick it up and make an equilateral triangle so that all three sides of the triangle are the same size.
-If this pole is vertical, the slope is 30°
-If the pole is tipping towards the hill, the slope less than 30°
-If the pole tipping more down the hill, the slope is more than 30°
This little hack isn’t precise but it is an effective and quick way to roughly gauge what kind of terrain you are in and add a data point to your decision making process. The best way to avoid avalanches in the backcountry is to take formal avalanche safety training classes and earn your certifications. To begin or continue on your avalanche safety education journey, head to Know Before You Go which has become the North American standard for teaching avalanche awareness.
KBYG Vision:
In January 2021 a multi-forecast center collaborative effort was kicked off to build the third version of KBYG. Avalanche Canada, Colorado Avalanche Information Center, National Avalanche Center, Northwest Avalanche Center, and the Utah Avalanche Center launched an 18-month project to rebuild the KBYG program with new videos, presentation content, website, and online learning courses. The program, partners, and sponsors are all committed to achieving the KBYG Vision.
Anyone who lives, works, or plays near snow-covered mountains needs to have a basic understanding of avalanche danger, where to go for resources available to learn more about avalanches, and most importantly the motivation to gain more knowledge.
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