Avalanche and Snow Guide

An avalanche is a mass of snow moving down a slope. In the US, avalanches kill 25-30 people and injure many more each winter. Some days are dangerous and some days are not … learning about avalanches will help you decide when, where, and how to visit the backcountry. (1)

No matter what activity you enjoy in the backcountry, be it snowshoeing, backcountry skiing/snowboarding, or snowmobiling, you must be aware of avalanche hazards and know the signs of an unstable snowpack.  This libguide promotes avalanche awareness and education, snowpack science and reporting, and information and links to the CAIC and other avalanches centers across the country.  As a backcountry skier, I hope to provide information that will help keep myself and others in the snow sports community safe, and make backcountry users aware of the risks that one will encounter in the backcountry.   

This guide will focus primarily on snowpack and avalanche conditions in Colorado, however we can learn so much about avalanche and snow science from other states and territories, so you will find links and information to avalanche forecasting and studies from Utah, Alaska, Washington, Montana and international locations within this libguide as well.  

When considering travel and recreation in the backcountry, follow these steps:(2)

• Get the Forecast
• Get the Gear
• Get the Training
• Get the Picture
• Get out of Harms Way