Slope angles matter: avalanches hardly ever release on slope angles less than 25° (about where black runs begin or a very steep part of a red run).
A slab avalanche can only release on slopes above 25°, but there is a difference between where the avalanche releases and where you actually trigger it. The trigger happens under your skis, but avalanche frequently releases above you. Remember, you can be on a low angle slope and still trigger an avalanche that releases on a steeper slope that is above you.
So, slope angles are critical to think about when you’re deciding where to go.
Snow stability is important: when the snow is stable it takes more than one person to trigger a release. When the snow less stable, then just one person can trigger a slab. Plus there is more of a chance that the slab will release above you, making the consequences that much worse.
Avalanche forecasts tell you about snow stability: reading or listening to the avalanche forecast is essential to understand the risks for the day. It includes a danger rating. To use the avalanche forecast, you must understand the definition for the ratings. You also need to get an idea of where the instability is most acute on that particular day. We do this every day before we go out.
Ask local professionals (piste patrol, guides and instructors). Even off-piste and avalanche experts do this. You should do it whenever the danger rating is 3 or above or you are not sure. You might learn something that saves your life.
Photo: © Chris Souillac
Recent avalanche activity is a great clue. If lots of slopes that face one direction have recent slab avalanches on them, you can expect slopes with similar aspect and similar altitude to be unstable.
All the time look for clues and listen for settling and woomphing (that’s a sound the snow makes when it settles). If you hear it, this is another very clear message that the snow is unstable (don’t worry if you’ve never felt or heard it - when it happens you’ll know it).
Start out on low angle slopes whilst you look for clues. Then if there is not a lot of recent avalanche activity around and you do not see or hear any other clues of instability and you have understood the bulletins, you can think about exploring steeper and more varied terrain.
Where is it OK to go? You decide where to go based on a process of elimination. You decide based on where you decide not to go.
Where is the best snow? The nicest powder can be in the most dangerous spots. This is an endless dilemma. We unravel this in more detail in the HAT Club articles and videos.