Avalanche Safety
See also Avalanche-related News Items for recent developments.
The Avalanche Risk Scale
Your first step, on the day, should be to check the local Avalanche Risk Scale. In Europe, and many other parts of the world, a standardised scale is used to convey the current level of danger. The Avalanche Risk Scale runs from 1 (Low) to 5 (High).
It is important to note that even with a Risk Level of 1, there is still a risk of avalanche - you still need to consider your route and your actions even with a low level of risk.
| 1 - Low |
Generally favourable conditions. Go onto extremely steep slopes one at a time! Avoid fresh accumulations of wind-driven snow on the steepest slopes if possible! Be aware of the danger of falls! |
|---|---|
| 2 - Moderate |
Mostly favourable conditions. Avoid all extremely steep slopes of the aspect and altitude indicated in the bulletin as well as fresh accumulations of winddriven snow! Go onto very steep slopes carefully and one at a time! |
| 3 - Considerable |
Partly unfavourable conditions. Experience in avalanche danger assessment required! Inexperienced persons must stay on-piste or join a group with a professional guide! Avoid very steep slopes! |
| 4 - High |
Unfavourable conditions. Confine activity to moderately steep terrain; avoid steep slopes! Keep away from avalanche path runouts (remote releases, spontaneous avalanches)! Use of the piste is recommended. |
| 5 - Very High |
Very unfavourable conditions. Avoid this terrain. Confine activity to marked, open runs under all circumstances!! |
You are strongly advised to seek local advice before and whenever skiing off-piste. Avalanche Risk can be low on one side of a hill and critical on the other; so make sure you have a good idea of local risk areas before you set off.
Fatal avalanches can, and do, occur right next to (and sometimes even on) marked and prepared pistes. Although on-piste (”in bounds”) avalanches are thankfully rare, they are not uncommon in areas easily accessible and between marked runs.
