How to Increase Your Odds of Surviving an Avalanche

There’s a pristine beauty to backcountry snow that takes you away from the world’s cares and uplifts the spirit. Anybody who loves to ski, ride a snow mobile or snow shoe in the back country in winter has got to be prepared for avalanches. These tips can help you survive.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Try to avoid it by jumping upslope or moving to the edge of the slide. Avalanches are deeper in the center of a slide.

2. Lose your skis snowboard or snowshoes if you're caught. They will only drag you under. I know how hard it is would be to let go of a pair of new K-2’s but your life is on the line. Stay upright as long as possible, but if your feet give way, start swimming. It is harder to swim in snow than water, but your first goal is to stay on the surface. If you can, hang onto something like a lift tower, rock or tree.

3. Try to dig yourself out with your hands, kicking with your feet. If you’ve kept hold of a ski pole, start poking at the snow until you reach air, then keep digging in that direction. It’s easy to get disoriented. If you can’t tell which direction is up, drool and see which direction it goes. If you can’t dig out, create space around yourself to breath. Create an air pocket around your mouth and nose by blowing air through your cupped hands. Fill your lungs with air several times to create breathing space around your body. It’s important to do this while the snow is still settling.

4. Conserve energy. Don’t start yelling until you hear rescuers approach. Snow absorbs sound. You will probably hear the ski patrol long before its members hear you. Once you’re aware of them, call for help.

5. Always travel in the back country with an avalanche beacon to increase your risk of being found. It’s a good idea to also bring a shovel, to help in digging yourself out. A new device, the AvaLung, will help you avoid suffocating. By breathing through it, you’ll suck air through the snow pack and divert carbon dioxide into the snow behind you.

6. Know that the best way to survive an avalanche is to avoid getting caught in one. Pay attention to snow and weather conditions. Learn where the terrain could be dangerous, such as when the slopes are between 30 to 45 degrees. Convex slopes are more dangerous than concave; leeward more hazardous than windward. Notice old slide paths. Take them as warnings. North facing slopes avalanche more in mid winter. Those facing south are more susceptible in spring. New deep snow could readily give way especially if it’s loose and dry. You can check snowflake shape as well by watching snow fall on your glove. Small crystals are more dangerous than the traditional star shaped flakes.

Tips & Warnings

• Riding a snow mobile is now the most dangerous winter sport when it comes to avalanches. Compared to cross country skiing, riders can go further and put themselves in more hazardous terrain. If this is your winter sport of choice, be particularly careful.
• Beware of snow plumes near the tops of mountains. It’s a sign that snow is on the move. Snow remains unstable more in colder temperatures, although rapid spring time rises in temperature can loosen snow, especially in late afternoon.