Pre-Ride Safety Check

Winter backcountry sports are growing in popularity. Whether you ski, board, sled, or shred, avalanche danger is a frequent threat. Education is a necessary first step if you're new to backcountry sports. For veteran riders, a refresher is always recommended. We've compiled an easy pre-ride safety checklist to guide your preparation and increase your confidence. Before any ride, you must complete the following:

  • Educate Yourself – Take an Avalanche Safety Course, Understand How Avalanches Form and Operate, Learn the Do's & Don'ts of Backcountry Travel, Know What to Do in an Emergency, Have a Basic Knowledge of First-Aid
  • Pack The Right Gear – Beacon, Airbag, Shovel, Probe, Radio, and First-Aid
  • Practice – Test Your Skills & Your Gear
  • Gauge Your Risk – Follow the Weather Forecast, Check Local Avalanche Advisories, Communicate with Riders & Forecasters, Evaluate Conditions

Educate Yourself

If you're new or need a refresher, we highly recommend that you take an avalanche safety course. Here are a few suggestions for finding course information and resources.

  • Check your regions Avalanche Center for Training & Resources. (Find Your Center)
  • The National Avalanche Center hosts a variety of training resources and course links (Avalanche.org).
  • Check with your local snowmobile or ski shop for local avalanche safety courses and resources.
  • Follow Avalanche Centers and Forecasters on Social Media. We recommend our good friend Mike Duffy (@avalanche1.colorado on Instagram).
  • Watch Avalanche Safety Course on YouTube.
  • The American Red Cross offers many first-aid-related courses (www.redcross.org).
  • Read Our Safety Guides.