SnowBrains Header logo
  • Store
  • Podcast
  • Snow Forecasts
  • Conditions Reports
  • Gear
  • Avalanche Forecast
  •  
SnowBrains Facebook Page SnowBrains Twitter Page SnowBrains Instagram Page SnowBrains YouTube Page SnowBrains RSS Feed

avalanche safety

Letter to the Editor: Is It Worth It? The Question Every Backcountry Skier Should Ask Themselves

I stand alone in the treed area of a north-facing slope under a South Lake Tahoe peak. It’s only about 30 degrees in steepness, but snow is falling and I can feel my blood pressure rising. Maybe I was thinking about the persistent weak layer present in the snowpack. Maybe my dad’s voice—he likes to tell me how stupid I […]

Post Tag for Industry NewsIndustry News
Avatar photo SnowBrains | February 27, 2025
0 Comments

CAIC to Host 17th Annual Benefit Bash in Breckenridge, CO

Benefit Bash Flyer 2024

Mark your calendars for November 23, folks, because the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) is back for its 17th annual Benefit Bash. This event, lasting from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. MST at the Riverwalk Center in Breckenridge, Colorado, will feature live music, drinks, auctions, giveaways, and more to celebrate avalanche safety and the backcountry community. Tickets are currently on […]

Post Tag for Industry NewsIndustry News
Quinn Brophy | November 6, 2024
0 Comments

Massive Avalanche Control Week for Ski Patrol at Whitewater Ski Resort, BC

Between February 26 and March 5, Whitewater Ski Resort, British Columbia, experienced a historic avalanche control week. It’s been a different sort of winter season in the Kootenay region of British Columbia, home to Red Mountain and Whitewater Ski Resort, this year. One of the worst starts, followed by one of the biggest storms, with 64 inches falling since the […]

Post Tag for AvalancheAvalanche
Ben Davies | March 19, 2024
0 Comments

[VIDEO] “To the Hills and Back” – A Heart-Wrenching Documentary Exploring the Lives of 2 Backcountry Skiers Who Navigate the Aftermath of Separate Avalanche Tragedies

“Using stories has always been integral to our approach to avalanche education at the UAC. Since our inaugural avalanche education video, ‘Winning the Avalanche Game,’ back in 1996, we’ve recognized the power of storytelling to convey important lessons. When we set out to create a new version of the Know Before You Go program, we knew we needed compelling narratives […]

Post Tag for AvalancheAvalanche
Play Video
AvyBrains | March 12, 2024
0 Comments

What is Sluff — A Look at the Small Yet Dangerous Type of Avalanche

What is sluff?

You have more than likely seen it and maybe even experienced it, whether in a ski movie or photograph, in person from a distance, or right below your own two skis, sluff is quite a common occurrence while on the mountain. That layer of fluffy snow that glides beside you as you turn when conditions are steep and deep. The […]

Post Tag for BrainsBrains
John Cunningham | February 28, 2024
0 Comments

What Exactly are “Remotely Triggered” Avalanches?

An avalanche, whether massive or minimal, can be detrimental and devastating to anything in its path. There are many different causes and forms of avalanches to be aware of and signs to look for before and while venturing into the backcountry. Coavalancheinfo recently posted a video helping to explain one kind: remotely triggered avalanches. View this post on Instagram A […]

Post Tag for AvalancheAvalanche
John Cunningham | November 6, 2023
0 Comments

CAIC Begins Daily Forecasts as Avalanche Season Kicks Off

Last week, a snowstorm dropped over 20 inches in many parts of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, marking the beginning of ski season for riders in the state. Resorts Arapahoe Basin and Keystone have already opened terrain this week, and many more mountains are set to open later this month. As the snow accumulates in the resorts, so does it gather in […]

Post Tag for Industry NewsIndustry News
Kenneth Condon | November 3, 2023
0 Comments

Red Helium Balloons Were Once Used as Avalanche Safety Tools

Balloons helped skiers feel safe from avalanches

A beacon, probe, and shovel are a few modern and necessary avalanche safety tools, carried by skiers and snowboarders all over the world. However, back before these advancements, avalanche safety technology was quite rudimentary in comparison to now. Thanks to Warren Miller Entertainment for once again pulling some incredible, vintage footage from the archives, for all of us to enjoy […]

Post Tag for Industry NewsIndustry News
John Cunningham | July 21, 2023
0 Comments

Bluebird Backcountry, Report: Colorado’s Newest Ski Resort is Also its Most Unique

Welcome to Bluebird

Bluebird Backcountry, Colorado’s newest ski resort, is truly unique. Breaking trail as the first resort of its kind, it bridges the gap between traditional resort skiing and backcountry skiing. Bluebird Backcountry is setting a new standard in backcountry safety and education, creating a new community of backcountry enthusiasts. Located in the heart of Colorado’s ski country, just outside of Kremmling […]

Post Tag for Trip ReportTrip Report
Aunika Skogen | March 14, 2023
1 Comment

Utah Avalanche Center Aims to Raise $100,000 with Spring Campaign to Fund New Avalanche Safety Tools and Technology

dry avalanche in Utah

This article originally appeared on utahavalanchecenter.org You play an important role in helping the Utah Avalanche Center fulfill our mission to keep people on top of The Greatest Snow on Earth® by providing avalanche forecasting, awareness, and education throughout the state of Utah. By making a donation today you are investing in the tools, technology, and people who carry out […]

Post Tag for AvalancheAvalanche
Avatar photo SnowBrains | March 3, 2023
0 Comments

ORTOVOX Launches Online Platform for Avalanche Safety

ortovox, avalanche courses,

Since ORTOVOX was founded, the protection of mountaineers and the mountains has been a guiding principle for the German mountain brand. The Safety Academy initially launched back in 2008, and the Safety Academy Lab Snow was established in 2013. The new digital knowledge platform provides high-quality information about avalanches and has been completely reworked in cooperation with the German Mountain […]

Post Tag for AvalancheAvalanche
AvyBrains | November 18, 2022
1 Comment

Colorado Avalanche Information Center Launches New Website With Dynamic Avalanche Forecasting

As early-season snow storms begin to blanket the Rockies, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) will begin to issue its daily weather and avalanche forecasts a little differently. On November 1, 2022, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center launched a new website, creating dynamic forecasts and avalanche threat levels, as well as daily 48-hour forecasts issued every afternoon at 4:30 pm. […]

Post Tag for AvalancheAvalanche
Steven Snyder | November 7, 2022
0 Comments

PSA: Now is the Time to Sign Up For an Avalanche Safety Course

PSA Now is the Time to Sign up for an Avalanche Course

With summer beginning to come to a close, leaves are starting to change and that crisp morning air is setting in. We can’t help but feel that itch to be back in the mountains once again. Although most of us are enjoying those off-season activities to keep the stoke alive until we get back on snow, it’s never too early […]

Post Tag for AvalancheAvalanche
Nick DeRiso | August 19, 2022
2 Comments

Winter Park, CO, Donates $69,000 to Three Snow Safety Non-Profits

uphill

Earlier this month, Winter Park Resort donated a total of $69,000 to three different non-profit organizations. The money for the donations came from Winter Park’s Uphill Program. Two seasons ago, as uphill users increased dramatically, the resort required anyone traveling uphill to purchase a $25 armband pass and agree to their uphill policy. This was to create safer uphill and […]

Post Tag for Industry NewsIndustry News
Avatar photo Brent Thomas | June 13, 2022
0 Comments

Avalanche Airbags: What Are They and Why Do They Matter?

Imagine you are freeskiing in the backcountry of your favorite mountain. You’ve finished warming up on a few trails, and now you’re prepared to tackle some more difficult terrain. All of a sudden, the snow starts cracking under you and you hear a loud, terrifying noise: WHUMPH. An avalanche is coming, and there is nothing you can do to stop […]

Post Tag for BackcountryBackcountry
Haleigh Hafner | April 9, 2022
1 Comment

Avalanche Safety – Digging a Snow Pit | The 5 Ws of Snowpack Test Decision Making

“Take a deck of cards – half are black, half are red; how much would you wager that the top card is red? That’s about risk. Here’s a deck of cards – at least one is black, at least one is red; how much would you wager that the top card is red? That’s about ambiguity.” – Robert M. Sapolsky, […]

Post Tag for AvalancheAvalanche
Guest Author | November 12, 2021
3 Comments

Free Avalanche Course Being Offered in Park City, UT on November 2nd

UAC

The Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) is hosting a free avalanche rescue and safety course in Park City tomorrow. The event is open and running anytime between 4-7 pm, admission is free, and it is taking place at Matt Knoop Memorial Park in the heart of Park City. In regards to the Community Avalanche Rescue Practice event, the UAC wrote: “The […]

Post Tag for AvalancheAvalanche
Jesse | November 1, 2021
0 Comments

Avalanche Safety Check with SCOTT Sports

scott sports usa

Brought to you by SCOTT Sports  Beacon, check. Probe, check. Shovel, check. Touring partners, check and check. Safe snowpack with no red flags… check? It has been unfortunate that the start of the 2020-2021 winter season has been riddled with avalanche activity and the news of multiple deaths in every major winter state. Is this just because we have more […]

Post Tag for AvalancheAvalanche
Alex K | February 23, 2021
0 Comments

Backcountry Basics: Snowpit Procedures

[arve url="https://youtu.be/onJDpfJycvc"]
Clay Malott | February 17, 2021
Likes
Tweets
0 Comments

Where and How to Sign Up for a Level 1 Avalanche Safety Course

New to the backcountry this season? Take your Level 1. Skied the backcountry before but haven’t taken an official course? Take your Level 1. Like skiing out of bounds? Take your Level 1. Do you nerd out about snow? Then take your Level 1. Taking your Level 1 avalanche certification course is crucial for getting your foot in the door […]

Post Tag for AvalancheAvalanche
Martin Kuprianowicz | February 9, 2021
0 Comments

Posts navigation

Older posts

Share your story:

Submit A Link

Top 10 Trending right now:

  • Top 7 Steepest Chairlifts in the United States
    Top 7 Steepest Chairlifts in the United States
  • [UPDATED: July 18] NOAA Winter 2025-26 Outlook: Long-Lead Seasonal Outlook Gives Sneak Peek of Next Winter
    [UPDATED: July 18] NOAA Winter 2025-26 Outlook: Long-Lead Seasonal Outlook Gives Sneak Peek of Next Winter
  • Italian Extreme Sports Icon Dies in 200-Meter Fall in Gröden/Val Gardena, Italy
    Italian Extreme Sports Icon Dies in 200-Meter Fall in Gröden/Val Gardena, Italy
  • Austrian Ski Resort Faces Permanent Closure as Demolition of Ski Lifts Looms
    Austrian Ski Resort Faces Permanent Closure as Demolition of Ski Lifts Looms
  • The 10 Biggest Ski Resorts on the East Coast
    The 10 Biggest Ski Resorts on the East Coast
  • 11 Top Ski Brands and Their Equivalent Automobile Brand
    11 Top Ski Brands and Their Equivalent Automobile Brand
  • 22-Year-Old Trail Runner Dies After Slipping on Snow-Covered Trail in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria
    22-Year-Old Trail Runner Dies After Slipping on Snow-Covered Trail in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria
  • Ill-Equipped Korean Hikers Rescued from Italian Via Ferrata After Spending Night Stranded Without Gear
    Ill-Equipped Korean Hikers Rescued from Italian Via Ferrata After Spending Night Stranded Without Gear
  • These are the 9 Dream Ski Trips Our Readers Would Go on if Money Were No Object
    These are the 9 Dream Ski Trips Our Readers Would Go on if Money Were No Object
  • Solo Hiker Found Dead in Italian Dolomites After Missing for 5 Days
    Solo Hiker Found Dead in Italian Dolomites After Missing for 5 Days
  • Meet the Team
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Policy
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy
  • Site Map
SnowBrains
Proudly powered by WordPress Theme: SnowBrains Child Theme.