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Avalanche safety

Skiing / Popular

Recognise avalanche terrain and know the basics of rescue.

What coaches agree on

  • Avalanche risk concentrates on slopes of roughly 30 to 45 degrees, with the highest number of slides around 35 to 38 degrees, so treat that steepness band as the most dangerous terrain.
  • Judge the day's risk two ways: read the avalanche forecast before you set out, then confirm it against what you actually see in the field — recent avalanche debris, cracking or a 'whumping' sound underfoot, and fresh wind-loaded snow.
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  • Search for a buried victim in stages: cover ground quickly while you're picking up the beacon signal, then slow down and move carefully once the numbers start dropping, so you can pinpoint the spot before you probe and dig.

Common mistakes

  • Letting the beacon rotate or tilt during the close-in fine search throws off your readings; keep it flat and pointed the same way the whole time.