The Scary Science Of Sliding Snow

Avalanche Basics

• Avalanches occur when the crystalline bonds between snow crystals break and gravity overcomes friction.
• Avalanches are categorized on a scale of one to five based on size and destructive potential.
• The snowpack is made up of layers that change over time due to weather conditions.
• Avalanches are common after storms due to the extra weight of the snow.
• Strong winds can increase the risk of avalanches by creating dense, cohesive layers of snow called wind slabs.
• Cornices, which are formed when the wind blows snow over the top of a ridge, can weigh many tons and trigger massive slab avalanches when they fall.

Types of Avalanches

• There are two main types of avalanches: slab and loose.
• Loose avalanches are characterized by loose snow that fans out after being triggered.
• Slab avalanches involve a cohesive layer of snow that breaks away in large chunks.
• Slab avalanches are more prevalent on slopes between 34 and 45 degrees.
• Slab avalanches can be triggered remotely from a distance.

Avalanche Safety

• Avalanche beacons are transceivers that send and receive electromagnetic waves, helping locate buried skiers.
• Avalanche airbags increase buoyancy and create air pockets, improving survival chances.
• Checking the avalanche forecast and making informed decisions is crucial for safety.
• Three essential items for backcountry skiing are a beacon, a probe, and a shovel.
• Deaths from avalanches do occasionally occur in bounds at resorts, but they are very rare. Most avalanche injuries and deaths occur in the backcountry.
• Avalanches mostly affect backcountry skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers.

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