Avalanche Information

Avalanche Safety

Avalanches are an inherent risk of many winter sports, and whether you’re skiing, snowboarding or hiking in the backcountry, you should be trained in avalanche safety.

Growing interest in the outdoors combined with the pandemic has caused an uptick of adventurous people exploring the backcountry, and with that, there has been an increase in avalanche deaths. Avalanches are an inherent risk of many winter sports and whether you’re skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing in the backcountry, if you’re on the slopes in winter, you should be thinking about avalanche safety.

One of the most important things you can do before heading into the backcountry is to arm yourself with information about the weather and avalanche conditions. A network of regional backcountry avalanche centers in the U.S. provides daily avalanche forecasts for many mountainous regions to help people understand where avalanches may occur. Check the forecast daily because conditions constantly change. Forecasters in the U.S. and Canada use a universal five-level warning system called the Avalanche Danger Scale; it lets recreationists know about the potential avalanche danger over a specific time period in certain mountain regions.

Be responsible: Your safety and the safety of others around you is your primary responsibility. What you wear, where you go, the equipment you carry and how you conduct yourself is vitally important.

Be avalanche savvy: Know the conditions present for an avalanche. Take a certified avalanche course. Find courses at Avalanche.org.

Be aware: Know the avalanche danger/conditions where you will be recreating. Heed all warnings.

Be prepared: Have at least these three safety items with you at all times and know how to use them. Everyone in your party should carry each of these items: 

• Avalanche transceiver: Know the terrain and avoid dangerous conditions. If you are caught in an avalanche, use your avalanche transceiver to help others in your party find you.

• Avalanche probes: These collapsible poles are longer than ski poles and are the perfect tool to begin searching for someone buried under the snow.

• Shovel: Each person in your party should carry a shovel. Shovels can help you dig others out who may be caught in an avalanche, help determine snowpack conditions, assist in leveling out an area for a tent, or be used to melt snow for drinking water. Watch a video about how to use your rescue tools.

• Backpack: Your pack should hold all your rescue gear, food, water, dry clothing, first-aid kit and other items. 

• Partner: None of the above pieces of equipment will help you if you venture into the backcountry alone – always bring a buddy. 

Find more information at the Avalanche Center.

Remember: You are responsible for the safety of yourself and for those around you.

• Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center

  

  Based in Bozeman, Montana, the GNFAC covers an area of approximately 1,720 mi 2, including the Bridger, Gallatin, and Madison Ranges, the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone, the mountains around Cooke City and Island Park.

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• Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

  

  Bridger-Teton Avalanch Center covers the south end of Yellowstone National Park all the way down to Cokeville and Hamsfork, and from the eastern edge of Idaho to Dubois.

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• Utah Avalanche Center

  

  The UAC provides avalanche forecasting across Utah covering eight geographic areas: Logan (includes southeastern Idaho), Ogden, Salt Lake, the Uintas (includes southwestern Wyoming), Provo, Skyline, Moab, and the Abajos.
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