Good Travel Habits
When travelling in avalanche terrain, there are several good habits to engage in to reduce your exposure:
- Use good communication and keep everyone involved in decision making. Two-way radios are helpful when you’re spread out in avalanche terrain. If you’re snowmobiling, noise is a factor so radios are even more important since you can’t yell at each other. You should stop for a helmets-off chat at key decision points before you proceed.
- Go one-at-a-time through avalanche terrain so you’re not exposing the whole group at once. In big terrain, spread out as much as possible to reduce the consequences of an avalanche.
- Group up in safe spots outside of avalanche terrain. When moving through avalanche terrain, do your best to go from one safe spot to another.
- Plan an escape route before you commit to a slope.
- Use terrain wisely by travelling on gentle slopes, through dense trees, and along ridges and ribs. Avoid overhead hazards and stay away from terrain traps.