Terrain

It’s a big world out there. The mountains offer endless terrain to explore, but being able to identify the dangers and safely navigate them is one of the most important skillsets for any splitboard enthusiast. The rule is simple, follow the easiest and safest path through the terrain to reach your objective. In reality, there’s a huge amount of variables to consider.

Steepness

The angle or steepness of the slope is a fundamental consideration with avalanche terrain. The potential for the snowpack to release is extremely sensitive to a small amount of change. The prime angles for a release to occur on are between 34-45°. On more gentle slopes, gravity has less effect on pulling the snowpack downhill; on steeper angles, the snowpack tends to regularly “sluff” and prevent larger accumulations of snow. Regardless, there are multiple other factors involved, so every slope angle should still be approached with caution.

“The prime angles for a release to occur on are between 34-45°”

Terrain Traps and Features

It’s not just where you’re stood or where you intend to go that matters. The backcountry is full of natural terrain traps and hazards that need to be identified and avoided long before you’re faced with them. A seemingly safe zone might be locally connected to far more dangerous terrain and, should the worst happen, you could find yourself pulled towards it.

“Seemingly safe terrain could be connected to far more dangerous terrain and, should the worst happen, you could find yourself pulled towards it”

Look above you. Have cornices formed on the slope above? Are you skinning at the bottom of a face that is supporting a steeper, avalanche-prone slope?

Check beneath you, too. If an avalanche occurred where you stood, would it flow into a terrain trap such as a gully, or ravine? Or, is there more serious exposure beneath, like a cliff band? Always be asking yourself what the worst-case scenario might be should you be caught in a slide. You’ll quickly start to build a healthy respect for the mountains and make smarter choices in your route selection.

With these considerations in mind, it helps to have a checklist of what to be on the lookout for when ascending on your splitboard. Jeremy Jones himself has his own checklist to be aware of. So, if it’s good enough for him…

The Five Red Flags

Strong Winds, Blowing and Drifting Snow

If the wind is strong enough to transport snow then the avalanche conditions can change from stable to dangerous without any new snow. Watch for blowing snow on high ridges and beware of wind loaded pockets at the top of faces and chutes.

New Snow

90% of human triggered avalanches happen during or within 24 hours after a storm. Give storm snow the utmost respect and assume high to extreme avi danger within 24 hours after a storm. Follow this rule and you will eliminate your risk of getting caught in an avalanche by 90%.

Rapid Rise in Temperature

No matter the starting temperature, any rapid warm-up is dangerous because the snowpack does not have time to adjust to the temperature change. Take extra precaution on the first warm day after a storm cycle.

Collapsing or Cracking in the Snowpack

If you feel the slope collapse under your feet or hear whomping sounds this is a sign of unstable layers in the snowpack. Cracks may also shoot out from your skis or board as you skin or ride in fresh snow. These are all signs of dangerous snow layers.

Signs of Recent Avalanche Activity

If you see signs of natural avalanches (crown walls, avalanche debris, etc.) this is a sign that avy danger should be taken very seriously. Take extra precaution if the natural avalanches have occurred at a similar elevation and on the same aspect as the slope you want to ride.

Ride For Tomorrow

Ignorance is far from bliss when it comes to splitboarding in the backcountry. There are endless complexities and variables that can change over the course of a season, a day, or even in a matter of minutes with big consequences.

Building awareness and an ability to read the environment and snow conditions only comes with time in the mountains. It takes years of experience to build up the knowledge required to safely venture off-piste, and it is essential to go with a guide if there is insufficient experience in your group.