Avalanches don’t care if you’re a novice or a veteran. Understanding how they form — and how to avoid them — is essential for anyone travelling in snowy mountains.
Learn to read the signs: recent snowfall or wind-loading, cracking in the snowpack, and the telltale “whumph” of settling snow. Carry the essential trio — beacon, probe, and shovel — and know how to use them.
Most importantly, plan your routes to avoid avalanche-prone slopes when conditions are unstable. No summit is worth the risk. Avalanche safety isn’t just gear — it’s decision-making backed by training and respect for the mountain.