Avalanche skills

5. November 2024

We love our users and we want to make sure we all get back home safely everytime. To contribute to research we share data collected in Skida with CARE, Centre of Avalanche Research and Education, at the University of Tromsø. CARE are running several projects relying on data from backcountry skiers. To make the most out of these data we want to gather some “attributes” on each user. For research purposes we gather your skills related to skitouring, Avalanche skills and skiing skills.

ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATION OF AVALANCHE DANGER

Avalanche skills

Avalanche danger assessment and mitigation involve evaluation and interpretation of snow, weather, and terrain. The six categories below describe different levels of avalanche skills.

1. Beginner

Does not have any experience in, or knowledge of, assessment of avalanche danger assessment


2. Limited skills

Is AWARE that avalanche danger is assessed on a scale from 1 = low to 5 = extreme, and that most avalanches occur in terrain >30°. KNOWS that fresh avalanches are signs of avalanche danger.


3. Basic skills

In addition to level 2: Is AWARE that different kinds of avalanche problems exist. Can identify key avalanche terrain (start zones, run-out zones, and terrain traps). Knows how to INTERPRET obvious warning signs (e.g., fresh avalanches, shooting cracks, whumpf sounds).


4. Medium to advanced skills

In addition to level 3: UNDERSTANDS the difference between different avalanche problems. KNOWS and how to respond to these avalanche problems with their terrain choices. Has BASIC knowledge of how weak layers form in the snow. Has BASIC skills in techniques to detect weak layers in the snow, and less obvious danger signs (e.g., wind-loaded snow).


5. Advanced skills

In addition to level 4: At large UNDERSTANDS how weak layers in the snow are formed and develop over time. Has ADVANCED knowledge in techniques to assess snow stability and the fracture propagation propensity of weak layers in the snow. Can use this information to assess the avalanche danger for his or her immediate surroundings (LOCALLY), and can use the terrain to mitigate these.


6. Expert/ professional skills

In addition to level 5: Has a PROFOUND knowledge of snow metamorphosis and avalanche dynamics. Is PROFICIENT in using information about weather and terrain to assess current and forecast future avalanche danger on both a LOCAL and REGIONAL level. In other words, the individual’s skills are on par with those of an avalanche forecaster. Can adjust his or her terrain choices to mitigate the avalanche problem, regardless of the avalanche problem.

No Avalanche skills neede to see that this is an avalanche, but you should know that it indicates increased avalanche risk