The avalanche checklist every mountain skier needs before going off-piste

  90% of avalanche accidents are triggered by the victim. The 10-point checklist that puts you in the other 10% ​

The off-piste briefing that could save your life   Avalanches claim 150 people in the Alps every year. Most are experienced off-piste skiers who simply underestimated the conditions, and 90% triggered the slide themselves. The good news: the vast majority of accidents are preventable. This guide won't replace a formal avalanche safety course, but it will make you a smarter, more aware mountain user - from reading a forecast to surviving a burial.       The 10-Point Pre-Ride Checklist Work through these before every off-piste session, in the order listed. Don't skip ahead.   1. Check the avalanche forecast — Get the official regional forecast, not just a weather report. Know the danger level, aspect, and elevation band of concern. A north-facing slope at 2,500m may be rated 4, while the south-facing run below sits at 2. 2. Look for recent avalanche activity — Fresh debris, crown lines on nearby slopes, or hollow "whumpfing" sounds underfoot are red flags. If a slope has already run, it can run again — often larger. 3. Assess recent snowfall — More than 30cm of continuous new snow is considered very hazardous. Heavy loading over 2cm/hour can destabilise the snowpack within hours of the snow stopping. Rain on top of snow is an immediate danger signal. 4. Check for wind slab — Wind builds dense, unstable slabs on leeward (sheltered) aspects. Tap the snow — if it sounds hollow or breaks away in chunks, you're on a slab. The classic trigger zone is just below a ridgeline on the quiet side of the wind. 5. Read the temperature trend — A sudden warming towards 0°C rapidly increases wet avalanche risk, even without a full thaw. Be especially cautious on sunny spring afternoons — conditions safe at 9 am can be lethal by 2 pm. 6. Choose your terrain carefully — Most avalanches release on slopes between 30° and 45°. Below 30° is usually safe; above 50° tends to slough rather than slab. The 35–40° range is the sweet spot for big slab avalanches — and also for great off-piste. Know your slope angles. 7. Identify terrain traps — A terrain trap multiplies the consequences of a burial. Cliffs, gullies, trees, creek beds, and cornice runout zones are all traps. A small slide that would be survivable on an open slope can kill if you're funnelled into a gully. 8. Carry — and know how to use — your safety kit — Transceiver, probe, and shovel are non-negotiable. Switch your transceiver to transmit before leaving the lift — not at the top. An airbag pack improves survival odds but doesn't replace the ABCs. 9. Travel smart on the slope — One person at a time on any suspect slope, while others watch from a safe zone. Descend directly rather than traversing — traversing cuts across the snowpack and is the most common way to trigger a slab. 10. Trust your gut — and your partners — If something feels wrong, it probably is. Group dynamics kill people — summit fever and peer pressure are serious factors. The mountain will still be there tomorrow. The North American Avalanche Danger Scale Check the local avalanche forecast before any off-piste run. The scale runs from 1 to 5. Most fatal accidents happen at level 3 (Considerable) — not 5 — simply because people underestimate the risk and venture out more freely at "moderate" ratings. Read more The Bottom Line Off-piste skiing and snowboarding are among the best experiences the mountains have to offer. But the snowpack is dynamic, deceptive, and unforgiving of complacency. The good news: avalanche risk is largely manageable with the right knowledge, gear, and disciplined habits. Check the forecast. Carry the kit. Go one at a time. Trust your gut. Check the Snow-Forecast Here Madarao, Japan: 21st February 2026 This week's mountain conditions The Alps have finally emerged from a huge storm cycle bringing up to 3 meters of snow in places along with very high avalanche danger due to a week early season layer deep in the snowpack. Japans resort breaking snow season is showing the first signs of slowing although Seki Onsen in holding onto it´s 610cm (244") base. Finally the USA is seeing some much needed snow with California scoring up to 90" (225cm), the Rockies gaining 60cm (2ft)and the Midwest sees season's biggest snowfall.   Europe Weekly Snow Roundup   After weeks of exceptional snowfall in the Alps — peaking at up to 3m (10 feet) in seven days on high western terrain — conditions have settled since the weekend. Resorts are reporting calmer, milder and increasingly springlike weather. Avalanche danger remains very high in many areas, but more terrain has been reopening as slopes are secured. Alpe d'Huez (240/400cm / 96/160") has become the first resort in France to reach a 4m base this season.   North America Weekly Snow Roundup   The dominant story this week has been significant snowfall across the western United States. In much of the southern Rockies, two feet (60cm) accumulated over just a few days — the biggest snowfall of the season for many resorts. Further north in Utah and Wyoming, totals reached as high as 60" (1.5m), providing a substantial boost to snowpacks that had already been improving.    Japan Weekly Snow Roundup   With the seasonal transition approaching, snowfall across Japan has slowed compared to the relentless pace seen earlier this winter. While decent dumps continue to arrive between sunny spells, base depths have stabilised through much of February after rapid growth last month. Myoko's Seki Onsen (610/610cm / 244/244") continues to post the deepest base in the world and remains the only resort currently above five metres (200"). Most Japanese ski areas are fully open.  Read Snow Roundups Discover our Snow-Forecast App Thanks for your support,   The Snow-Forecast.com Team You're receiving this email because you signed up to our surf alerts.   unsubscribe here

Win a Trip to Whistler & Your Weekly Snow Update

  Dare to Go Deeper and Win a Winter Trip for Two to Whistler, Canada, Worth $14,000 ​

Chasing fresh tracks on Whistler Mountain Credit: Tourism Whistler/Guy Fattal Dare to Go Deeper: Win a Dream Winter Trip to Whistler & Get the Latest Global Snow Updates   We are now in the throws of winter, storms are flying across the world and we have an epic competition for you to get involved in. Enter for a chance to win an unforgettable winter 2026-27 trip for two to Whistler, Canada, worth $14,000 — one of the world's most iconic mountain destinations.   Scroll down for a closer look at what's ahead if you win this epic trip to Whistler. This legendary ski destination, famous for its world-class, side-by-side mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb delivers a unique combination of spectacular vistas, expansive terrain, old-growth forests, and a magical Village with sophisticated experiences. When you come here, you feel it in your soul.     Look forward to Whistlers abundance of powder days Credit: Tourism Whistler / Ben Girardi Win a $14,000 Winter Escape to Whistler, Canada   Win an unforgettable winter trip for two to Whistler Blackcomb for the 2026/27 winter with Tourism Whistler and Snow-Forecast   The prize includes return flights to Vancouver, transfers to and from Whistler, six nights in a luxury Mountain View suite at the Sundial Hotel, plus premium ski or snowboard rentals and 3-day Whistler Blackcomb lift tickets to explore 8,171 acres of iconic terrain.   Off the slopes, enjoy snowshoeing, a sauna, Vallea Lumina, a bungee jump, and memorable food and drink experiences in Whistler. Enter Now What makes Whistler so good?   Whistler's legendary snowfall is driven by powerful Pacific storms rolling in from the ocean. Sitting directly in the path of the Aleutian Low, these moisture-rich systems rise over the Coast Mountains and deliver frequent, heavy snowfalls.   With 80+ snowfall days per season and average totals around 11 metres, Whistler ranks among the snowiest resorts in the world — even low-snow years still deliver impressive depths. Spread across 8,171 acres, it's a scale and snow combination few resorts can match. Whistler Snow Stats Here Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains provide endless terrain to enjoy Credit: Tourism Whistler/Guy Fattal The Whistler trip of a lifetime awaits   Go beyond the ordinary and embrace the full depth of Whistler's winter magic. Stay six nights in luxury accommodation at the base of Whistler Mountain, steps from the gondola. Discover vast alpine terrain, savour unforgettable dining, dive into thrilling adventures and explore every layer of what makes Whistler extraordinary. This is your chance to dare, discover and go deeper in Whistler. Enter For a Chance To Win Montgenevre, France: 5th February 2026. Latest Snow Updates  Winter is delivering across the Northern Hemisphere. In Europe, metre-plus snowfalls are hitting Italy and the Pyrenees as powerful Alpine storms intensify. North America sees Pacific systems returning to the West, while Arctic cold tightens its grip on the East. Meanwhile in Japan, already deep snow bases continue to build with consistent daily top-ups.   Europe Weekly Snow Roundup   Heavy snowfall is sweeping across southern Europe, with metre-plus totals reported in Italy and the Pyrenees. The French Alps are now bracing for storms that could deliver over a metre of fresh snow, while Scandinavia remains locked in brutally cold conditions. In Scotland, all five ski centres are fully open once again.   North America Weekly Snow Roundup   Pacific storm systems are pushing fresh snow into the Rockies, while extreme cold continues to grip eastern North America. The West Coast is seeing modest but welcome snowfall, Midwest snow bases are now exceeding six feet, and most major resorts across the continent are largely open.   Japan Weekly Snow Roundup   Japan's snowpack remains exceptionally deep following recent heavy snowfall, with bases now settling across the country. Seki Onsen continues to report the world's deepest snowpack, while Niseko holds the deepest cover among Japan's major resorts. Fresh daily top-ups are still adding to already impressive totals nationwide. Read Snow Roundups Discover our Snow-Forecast App Thanks for your support,   The Snow-Forecast.com Team You're receiving this email because you signed up to our surf alerts.   unsubscribe here

Your Weekly Snow Update + Exclusive WeSki Offer

  Check the latest snow update and get £100 off your next booking.

Felix enjoying the recent snowfall in Saint Lary, French Pyrenees. Winter is far from over. Fresh snow, cold temperatures and strong mid-season conditions across North America, Japan and Europe mean there's still plenty of winter left to enjoy. If you haven't booked your winter getaway yet, now is the perfect time. Scroll down for this week's full Snow Update and see where conditions are shaping up best. Is this the Smartest Way to Book a Ski Holiday? Ski holidays are unforgettable - planning them? Not always.   Flights, transfers, accommodation, lift passes, equipment hire… it's easy to juggle tabs and still wonder if you've booked the right trip at the right price.   WeSki brings it all together in one place, comparing millions of trip combinations to help you book a ski holiday that actually fits how you ski - with the best value built in and no guesswork. £100 Off Any Ski Trip* *Book Before 28th February, per booking over £2000 Book by 28th February and get £100 off any ski trip over £2000   Every skier is different - and your ski trip should be too. Whether you're booking a last-minute escape or planning ahead for next season, WeSki makes it easy to find the perfect trip at the best price.    With real-world ski expertise built into every step - and 24/7 support while you're away - the whole experience feels smooth and stress-free from the first click to the final run.   WeSki handles the planning - so you can focus on the fun. Book now and save £100 Revelstoke, Canada: 22nd January 2026. Latest Snow Updates  North America sees a major mid-winter reset after Storm Fern, Japan remains deep in peak winter conditions, and Europe welcomes colder weather with fresh snowfall and high alpine activity.   Europe Weekly Snow Roundup   Colder temperatures and regular snowfall are restoring wintry conditions across most regions. Snow quality remains strong, terrain is largely open, and the Pyrenees currently lead Europe with the deepest bases—though avalanche danger is elevated in some areas.   North America Weekly Snow Roundup   Storm Fern delivers a major mid-winter reset. The Northeast and Midwest emerge as standout regions after heavy snowfall, while western resorts stay drier with more spring-like conditions. In Canada, deep snowpacks are holding strong under intense cold.   Japan Weekly Snow Roundup   Japan remains deep in peak winter. Exceptional snowfall across Honshu and Hokkaido has built historic base depths, with some resorts exceeding 4–5 metres. Extreme cold is preserving ultra-light powder, while avalanche and safety warnings remain widespread. Read Snow Roundups Discover our Snow-Forecast App Thanks for your support,   The Snow-Forecast.com Team You're receiving this email because you signed up to our surf alerts.   unsubscribe here