Take a course in backcountry safety

As we stated before, you should always be accompanied by other skiers or snowboarders. Never go to the backcountry alone. For the safest and ultimately the most enjoyable experience, we suggest you take an avalanche course. That is not only the best way to learn everything you need about backcountry safety, but you may even meet new people to ride with!

Plan your routes carefully

Often times riders get a bit too excited and rush into the backcountry without putting a plan together. This can be especially dangerous since you may not be fully prepared to the conditions you are facing.

So, before you put your boots on, make sure that you have put in a fair amount of thought for your game plan. Do your research, analyze the conditions and the terrain. If you see any traces of avalanches that have already occurred, you should steer clear from those areas. Hell, you can even contact the local avalanche center for some additional information.

A good rule of thumb is that if anyone feels unsure about the preliminary plan, the whole group should reassess the situation. The main thing is to trust your gut – even when everyone else is ready to go. Additionally, don’t be afraid to make a few test runs somewhere else to see how the snow holds up.

Wear technology that prevents dangerous situations

An avalanche beacon, also known as an avalanche transceiver, is a critical part of safety gear for the backcountry – and one you definitely need in your arsenal. In case of being buried in the snow, these beacons work via radio signals that can pinpoint your exact location to the rescuers. We highly recommend purchasing one especially if you are aching to enjoy the fresh powder snow on a backcountry.

Another vital piece for search and rescue is a simple probe that can help you determine where to dig. As simple as the tool may be, it can be life-saving in some circumstances.

You can also invest in an avalanche backpack that can be inflated to give you more protection. Additionally, avalungs can give you some much needed air in the unlucky case that you get buried under snow.