Further Learning
The following references have been provided for further reading and self education on the topics of weather, snowpack, and avalanche observations. If you have questions on the terminology please consult the National Avalanche Center’s Glossary of Terms.
These references are not an adequate replacement for hands-on formal education. For a listing of education courses in Alaska, see our Course Offerings page.
Online Tutorials and Video:
-
The following chapters introduce the basics of recreational avalanche safety. In this tutorial you will learn to understand avalanche danger and how terrain selection is one of the most important skills for safe travel in the backcountry.
- American Avalanche Association
The AAA created a tutorial which guides you through the recognition of red flags, identification of avalanche terrain, safe travel techniques and how to perform a rescue. - National Avalanche Center
This tutorial is broken up by user group – motorized and non-motorized. It discusses the kinds of avalanches you may see, terrain selection, snowpack, weather, low risk travel and rescue.
- Ortovox Safety Academy Lab
- Throttle Decisions: snowmobile avalanche education video series
-
Backcountry Access basic avalanche awareness guide.
- White Risk Avalanche Prevention Portal
- New Zealand Avalanche Centre online tutorial
Weather Observations:
- Snow, Weather, and Avalanches: Observational Guidelines for Avalanche Programs in the United States
- COMET Avalanche Weather Forecasting
- COMET Forecast Guide
- COMET Avalanche Weather Forecast Data Sheet
- Field Forecasting
Snowpack Observations:
- Snow, Weather, and Avalanches: Observational Guidelines for Avalanche Programs in the United States
- When to Dig?
- Extended Column Test, Propagation Saw Test
- Propagation Saw Test
- Fracture Shear Character
- International Classification for Seasonal Snow on the Ground
- snowcrystals.com
Avalanche Observations:
- Snow, Weather, and Avalanches: Observational Guidelines for Avalanche Programs in the United States
- Destructive Size Chart
- Avalanche Size Estimation Aid
Emergency Response:
- Avalanche Accidents (CAIC)
- BCA Transceiver Searching 101
- BCA Stragic Shoveling
- BCA Probing 101
Clips:
- Backcountry Access videos.
- Planning a backcountry trip: video.
- Teton Gravity Research videos. Click on ‘browse by series’ and select ‘Avi Education’.
- Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center videos.
- Jill Fredston of the Alaska Mountain Safety Center on avalanche risk and causes in Alaska.
Published Works:
- ISSW 2014 Proceedings
- ISSW 2012 Proceedings
- ISSW 2010 Proceedings
- Backcountry Access Research Papers and Reports (lots of great info here)
- AIARE Educational Resources
- Snow, Weather, and Avalanches: Observational Guidelines for Avalanche Programs in the United States
- Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain, by Bruce Tremper
- The Avalanche Handbook, by Dave McClung and Peter Schaerer
- Snow Sense: A Guide to Evaluating Snow Avalanche Hazard, by Jill Fredston
- The ABC’s of Avalanche Safety, by Sue Ferguson and Ed LaChapelle
- Secrets of the Snow: Visual Clues to Avalanche and Ski Conditions, by Ed LaChapelle
- Backcountry Avalanche Awareness, by Bruce Jamieson
- Free Riding in Avalanche Terrain, by Bruce Jamieson
- In the Path of an Avalanche: A True Story, by Vivien Bowers
More:
- AIARE Pre-trip Hazard Checklist
- Canada Terrain Scale
- Bay Street Case
- Torts 101 For Ski Guides