Avalanche danger descriptors ultimate Ski: Off Piste > Avalanches & Safety

Avalanche danger descriptors

An overview of avalanche danger levels, probability and trigger, degree and distribution of danger and recommended action.

Danger level COLOUR	Avalanche probability and trigger	Degree and distribution of danger	Recommeded action in the backcountry
Low GREEN	Natural avalanches very unlikely Human-triggered avalanches unlikely	Generally stable snow. watch out for isolated areas of instability	Skiing is generally safe. Normal caution is advised
Moderate YELLOW	Natural avalanches very unlikely Human-triggered avalanches possible	Unstable slabs possible on steep terrain	Use caution in steeper terrain on certain aspects
Considerable ORANGE	Natural avalanches very possible Human-triggered avalanches probable	Unstable slabs probable on steep terrain	Be increasingly cautious in steeper terrain
High RED	Natural and human-triggered avalanches likely	Unstable slabs likely on a variety of aspects and slope angles	Skiing in avalanche terrain is definitely not recommended Safest skiing on windward ridges of lower-angled slopes without steeper terrain above
Extreme* BLACK	Widespread natural or human-triggered avalanches certain	Extremely unstable slabs certain on most aspects and slope angles. Large, destructive avalanches possible	Skiing in avalanche terrain should be avoided, and sking confined to low-angled terrain and well away from avalanche path runouts

* Please note that in Canada the extreme danger level is shown as red with a black border.

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Avalanche safety

? Ski in groups

? Appoint a group leader (and an alternate) to be responsible for making decisions in an emergency
? Go one at a time and always think about who will do the rescue if somthing goes wrong
? Be wary of cornices. Never walk up to the edge of a drop-off
? Ski gently. Wider skis are better then narrow skis, and a snowboard is better yet
? Remember the avalanche doesn't know (or care) that you're an expert

Safety equipment

? Buy a transceiver (beacon), collapsible probe, and a shovel
? Owing and carry equipment is not good enough - practise with it
? Carry a compass and inclinometer
? Take an avalanche awareness class

Avalanche gear

Away from the marked runs, you depend on your friends and your equipment should anything go wrong.

Make sure you have the best gear, available from Facewest.

Avalanche guide

Some passages in this section are extracted from Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain by Bruce Tremper, Director of the Utah Avalanche Center.
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