News
By Sam Collentine, Meteorologist Posted 7 years ago November 3, 2017
Backcountry Skiing & Avalanche Safety Resources
We can not stress enough the importance of taking the precautionary steps if you decide to go outside the ski resort boundaries and into the backcountry.
There is a multitude of resources available to the general public that provide the first line of necessary tools to help ensure your safety. By no means will you be able to jump right into the backcountry after reading the latest avalanche report and forecast as it takes years of training and experience to even begin to understand the necessary signs of safety and danger.
Get educated, get organized with the necessary gear, and stay up-to-date with the latest avalanche conditions and forecast from the avalanche centers located across the United States and Canada.
Education
American Avalanche Association
American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education
Forest Service National Avalanche Center
Canadian Avalanche Association
Gear
Backcountry Skiing and Ski Mountaineering Equipment List
Avalanche Centers
Alaska: Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center, Cordova, Juneau, Valdez
Arizona: Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center
California: Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center, Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Sierra Avalanche Center
Colorado: Colorado Avalanche Information Center, Crested Butte Avalanche Center
Idaho: Payette Avalanche Center, Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center, Sawtooth Avalanche Center
Montana: Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center, Flathead Avalanche Center, Missoula
New Hampshire: Mount Washington Avalanche Center
New Mexico: Taos Avalanche Center
Oregon: Wallowa Avalanche Center
Utah: Utah Avalanche Center
Washington: Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center
Wyoming: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
Canada: Canadian Avalanche Center
Avalanche Forecasts
In addition to all of the snow and mountain weather forecast information here on OpenSnow, you can also view the latest Avalanche Forecast for the United States and Canada on OpenSnow.com and in the OpenSnow iOS and OpenSnow Android app.
Our animation tool will also provide the historical forecast for the past 7 days so that you can quickly see how the avalanche forecasts are trending over time.
View → Avalanche Forecast
The data is sourced directly from the local avalanche centers and should be used by experienced backcountry travelers in uncontrolled sidecountry and backcountry terrain.
Download the OpenSnow app and stay tuned to our forecasts for the latest weather updates.
SAM COLLENTINE