The weight of a skier or snowmobile can trigger a slide that might not have happened naturally. Avalanche experts agree that taking a course is the best way to learn how to prepare for a trip, assess snow conditions and make objective decisions about the safety of backcountry slopes. Many courses are offered throughout Colorado, although schools are not regulated and class content can vary. A standard introductory class divides time between classroom and the field. Instructors cover the chemistry of snowpack formation and show students how to dig pits to evaluate the stability of snow layers.
Students learn to identify hazardous slopes and how to best travel through avalanche-prone terrain.
Backcountry travelers can partially protect themselves by carrying shovels and wearing beacons - electronic units the size of a small cassette player that can both transmit and receive a signal. Skiers must practice beacon recovery technique to be efficient. Other skills come with time, such as habitual awareness of snow conditions and an eye for avalanche warning signs. Through patient experience and education, backcountry users can decide what level of risk they want to accept and when it's time to back down. The key is to form an opinion from the time you plan the tour to the time you're skiing down.