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Avalanche - Reducing Risk The best way to reduce the risk of being caught in an avalanche is never to embark on an off-piste run that takes you through exposed terrain. Sooner or later, though, you will find yourself in a situation where you suddenly realise that there is a very real risk of an avalanche. It's a horrible feeling. If you find yourself in this predicament, get yourself out of immediate danger as quickly as possible under the lee of a rock. Make sure that everyone in your group understands the situation, then decide whether or not you can hike out. It is better to slog uphill for a few hours, even if it means arriving home after nightfall, rather than risking death by continuing. If you decide to continue, take the following precautions: Minimise the time spent in exposed locations, such as narrow gullies or obvious chutes where earlier avalanches have destroyed the trees. Plan your path to stick to ridges or valley floors. Take advantage of safer areas, such as among trees and below, rather than above, rocks. Loosen any equipment that you may need to jettison in a hurry (rucksacks, powder straps and poles). Move one by one, with a safe gap between members of the group. Do not assume it is safe because others have traversed successfully. Group members should wait in safety and watch the moving skier. Do not stop on exposed slopes. If you fall, get moving again as quickly as possible. Cleaning your glasses can wait until you reach safety. Cross exposed slopes as early as possible. As a general rule, exposed south-facing slopes should not be attempted after about 11.00am, when the sun has warmed them. Learn From Situations If you end up in this situation, learn from it. Discuss how it happened. Make sure it never happens again. And if you are going to continue skiing off-piste, invest in a transceiver and other safety equipment, and take a course in how to use them.   More Links  Types  Statistics  Friend caught  Judging risk  Reducing risk  If caught  Transceivers  Avalanche

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