Avalanche Basics from Avalanche.org

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Avalanche Basics
U.S. Avalanche Centers
(National, Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Hampshire, Utah, Washington/Oregon, Wyoming)

Education

U.S. Avalanche Courses
(Recreation & Professional Tracks, Course Descriptions, Course Providers)
Avalanche Encyclopedia
Avalanche Safety Tutorial

Accidents

Accident Reports
(Official avalanche accident reports are produced when individuals are critically injured or killed in an avalanche.)
Avalanche Accident Statistics and Reporting

Conditions

National Danger Map
(See map below)
Avalanche Danger Scale
(To interpret the map)

Learn

About

Bonus

Best practices in shovelling techniques, equipment and strategies continue to evolve in Avalanche Search and Rescue (AvSAR). Smart shovelling methods are critical, as shovelling consumes most of the time during an avalanche rescue. The Strike Team Shovelling method is a new angle that takes the best of the “strategic shovelling” and “V-shaped conveyor” methods commonly taught in avalanche rescue courses. This three-part series provides a detailed overview of the strike team shovelling, which the Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) started teaching in the past couple of years in all CAA AvSAR courses. (BCA – BackCountry Access)

Strike Team Shoveling 1, 2 & 3

Strike Team Shovelling – Part 1: Positioning and Rotations
Strike Team Shovelling – Part 2: Final Stages of Avalanche Excavation
Strike Team Shovelling – Part 3: Using the “Diamond Method” for Burials Deeper Than Your Probe

The North American Avalanche Danger Scale is a tool used by avalanche forecasters to communicate the potential for avalanches to cause harm or injury to backcountry travelers.

The U.S. and Canada use a five-category estimation of the avalanche danger: Low, Moderate, Considerable, High and Extreme.

North American Avalanche Danger Scale