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Making Decisions in Avalanche Terrain

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Risk and Reward. Photo: Colin Zacharias
 
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by Colin Zacharias
Professional Mountain Guide and Mountain Safety Specialist

Risk and Reward

Making safe decisions in avalanche terrain is no easy task. It requires common sense and a set of tools tailored to making good, consistent decisions. Our internal dialogue is full of questions, and personal experience doesn't necessarily dictate a clear and simple solution. It's not easy to arrive at a "go" or "no go" answer, as our experience essentially offers choices.


  • Where is it safe to ski?
  • Can the slope produce avalanches?
  • Is the snowpack stable or not?
  • Can we ski this terrain without triggering the slope?
  • What are the consequences if an avalanche does occur?
  • Are we skilled enough with the companion rescue equipment to rapidly respond should an avalanche occur?

How does one correctly choose the best option?

Each backcountry skier or rider needs a basic decision making tool to analyze information and arrive at conclusions. These slides provide a checklist of questions to help backcountry travellers review information and direct them toward a decision. There are no right answers. The questions lead to an awareness of critical factors and a general safer, or safest, method for making decisions.

This slide show will provide a checklist of questions to help backcountry travellers review information and direct them toward a decision. 

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