Understanding avalanches

Avalanche – it's the one word that makes backcountry skiers and snowboarders shudder in fear. Although avalanches can occur at any time and in any season, it's the winter traveller who's most at risk, especially in the hours immediately after a fresh snowfall when the snowpack is settling and consolidating.

Remember - the best way to survive an avalanche is by not getting caught in one in the first place. Talk to the Independant Mountain Guides available at Small Planet for the latest and up to date information on the local conditions and courses available and learn about the various avalanche dangers.

Avalanche safety gear is designed to work after the fact, after an avalanche has slid and the buried victims must be found. The only thing that will help prevent accidents is your own skill at assessing both terrain and conditions. The mandatory items that a backcountry skier or boarder must carry are a transceiver, probe, and shovel.

Read our Avalanche Safety Gear article to learn about these items.

Avalanche Awareness

Samll Planet strongly recommend taking avalanche awareness and rescue courses. The standard backcountry avalanche course will teach you recognize the terrain and weather conditions that contribute to avalanche hazards, and how to choose a safe route. Consider taking an avalanche course prior to investing in equipment and certainly before venturing into the backcountry – avalanche gear is usually supplied to students on introductory courses, and the hands-on experience will give you insight into what to look for when you do buy your own equipment.

New Zealand Backcountry Avalanche Advisory

To check the local conditions go to The Backcountry Avalanche Advisory for a valuable source of information on avalanche safety courses and also issues backcountry advisory bulletins. The bulletins, issued several times a week, along with other local area advisories and your own weather observations and records. The The Backcountry Avalanche Advisory can provide your best source of information before you head out.

Terrain Assessment Tools

For testing and observing snow pack layers, you'll need your shovel and probe. For further study, you can also carry a field kit that includes a clinometer (for determining slope angles), thermometer (to assess snow layer and surface temperatures), a collapsible ruler (to measure snowpack layers), a snow crystal screen or card and loupe (for observing snow crystal structure), and a field book (for recording observations). Also recommended are a snow saw (for cutting and isolating snow blocks), and a cord (for isolating Rutschblock from snow profile pits). It is important not to use snow-pit test results in isolation, but to combine them with avalanche forecasts, weather information, and ongoing terrain and stability assessment.

Backcountry vs. Out-of-Bounds

Are you looking for the soft pow? If you are an alpine skiers, telemarker or snowboarders you can easily access back country terrain in Queenstown. From the lift-serviced Coronet Peak and Remarkables Ski Areas it is a short hike to access backcountry areas that are beyond the area boundaries.In New Zealand we condone the practice for well-equipped parties, and the ski areas will close their boundaries to everyone, regardless of skill if there is high avalanche danger present. Please respect the signs and never venture into a closed area (for one thing, it will likely be your last visit to the resort, should you get caught) as it is likely the area will be an avalanche-prone terrain trap.

If you are legally accessing the backcountry always do your research by checking The Backcountry Avalanche Advisory before heading out, travel in a party of at least 3 persons and carry all your avalanche safety gear. Small Planet carries a number of products that enable you to bring along a light load of safety gear for backcountry trips.