Whether you smack a tree, get buried in a hidden well or hurt yourself in a fall, having a friend there to get help can make all the difference. Almost all ski-related injuries are the result of skiing too fast and out of control. Unfamiliar conditions, heavy snow, steep slopes, fatigue, crowds and weather all contribute to your ability to ski proficiently so evaluate the environment around you, and don't get cocky. The National Ski Patrol says more than 75 percent of ski area deaths are the result of advanced skiers losing control while skiing intermediate terrain. The most dangerous avalanches usually occur on convex slopes, also known as bowls or chutes.
Avalanches can occur on short slopes as well as long ones.
Leeward slopes are dangerous because wind-blown snow adds depth, creating hard, hollow sounding wind slabs. South-facing slopes are most dangerous in the spring. Following an old track does not necessarily mean a slope is safe. Down-slanting trees and brush are a good sign an avalanche has struck the slope before. Snow falling at an inch or more per hour increases the risk of an avalanche.