This winter has already brought about a substantial number of avalanche deaths to winter enthusiasts. With the high avalanche danger, it is important to take extra precautions. Here are some things to keep in mind during your outdoor winter recreation activities.

The avalanche potential this season in western North America is currently high due to a number of factors. According to The Avalanche Handbook, “The primary weather and atmospheric factors contributing to avalanche formation include precipitation patterns and intensity, wind direction and wind speed, sensible heat, and radiation heating or cooling on snow”. As the snow falls, it creates layers in the snow pack. For example, it could rain one day and depending on the temperature, potentially create a rain crust layer. Snow could then fall and create a new layer over the rain crust. If the new snow doesn’t bond to the old snow (this is dependent upon temperature, etc.) then the old layer will allow the top layer to slide off it once it is overloaded. This is a very general description of what can potentially occur to create an avalanche.

Inexperience or lack of knowledge can contribute to a false sense of security. At the time of this article, there have been 21 avalanche fatalities in 19 days. Snowmobilers accounted for 14 of the fatalities (eight at one location in Canada). After that avalanche had occurred, other snowmobilers in the area came to help, but those people were unaware of the potential for more avalanche hazards and were caught by a secondary slide. Six of the remaining fatalities were skiers, two snowboarders. Half of these latter folks were backcountry skiing, the other half were caught in avalanches at major ski resorts. In addition to the incidents in Canada, the remaining avalanche deaths occurred in California, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Washington.

Things you can do to increase your safety:

Follow weather reports and avalanche advisories issued by local agencies. Two days prior to the avalanche in Fernie Canada, the Canadian Avalanche Centre issued a special avalanche warning for that area. If a local agency advises against traveling in avalanche terrain due to weather conditions, heed the warnings.

Obey closed area signs within and around any ski resort you ski. These signs are there for your safety. Often these areas are near cliffs. Despite avalanche reduction attempts by ski patrol, additional loading on the slope by skiers can potentially trigger an avalanche onto the slopes below (which may be open and occupied by other skiers).

Be prepared for an avalanche. This includes wearing an avalanche transceiver, and having an avalanche shovel and probe in your backpack. Read this article for additional information http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art59871.asp on how to be prepared.

Be aware of the terrain. Do you know what a terrain trap is? Do you know what a slide path looks like? Are you traveling under one? Whether you are snowshoeing, skiing or snowmobiling, it’s one of many important things to know.

Knowledge is your best tool for making any decision. Educate yourself as much as possible to ensure a safe winter of recreational activities.