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There is a ton of avalanche safety and education information available. So much so that it can be a little overwhelming. This page is meant as a resource for you (the backcountry traveler) to access a lot of valuable avalanche information in one place. Note that none of the information provided should be used as a substitute for taking an actual avalanche education course.
Please remember, avalanche education is not a one-stop shop, it is a lifelong endeavor. Don't forget to support your local avalanche center! If you'd like an easy way to support your local center you can make a donation by purchasing a sweet t-shirt or hoody.
Step 1: Get the Gear
Step 2: Get the Training
Step 3: Get the Forecast
Step 4: Get the Picture
Step 5: Get Out of Harms Way
North America: AIARE, American Avalanche Association, Avalanche.org, and Avalanche Canada
Europe: France, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy
Southern Hemisphere: New Zealand, Australia, Argentina and Chile
When a layer in a slab collapses it can create a whomfing noise - this is the air compressing out of a weak layer. From the National Avalanche Center, "This is the sound of nature screaming in your ear that the snowpack is very unstable". Cracks are sometimes seen shooting through the snow away from a skin track or the path you are making while riding down a slope. This is another sign of unstable snow.
Snow is easily transported by the wind and when it is deposited it can form wind slabs. These slabs add weight to a snowpack and can make it easier to cause a weak layer in the snow to fail. Pay close attention to wind direction, especially where it is coming off of ridges.