Get the Forecast
We’ve already covered the elements of the avalanche forecast in the previous section. Reading the forecast for a few days leading up to your trip will give you an idea of how conditions are evolving. On your travel day, focus in on the danger ratings for the elevation zones you’ll be exposed to. Also, make sure to note which avalanche problems exist and where you’ll expect to find them.
Dig Deeper: What If There is No Forecast? +
Avalanche forecasts are produced for most of the mountainous areas of western Canada, but not all. For areas outside established forecast regions, Avalanche Canada produced The Dangerator. It’s a tool that guides you through a process to approximate your local avalanche hazard, based on weather conditions and your own observations. Check out this video to learn how to use it: