Slopes < 30 degrees

Remember that virtually all avalanches release on slopes of 30 degrees and steeper. You can effectively avoid avalanche terrain by staying on slopes of less than 30 degrees.

Slopes > 30 degrees.

37 degrees is recognised as a killer slope. It has the slope for speed and the quantity of gathered snow to be powerful.

If you are planning to tackle steeper terrain, here are a few safety reminders:

1. Carry and know how to use avalanche rescue gear. You should not be skiing or climbing potential avalanche slopes without having beacons, shovels, and probes.
2. Only one person in a group should be exposed to potential avalanche danger at a time.
3. Climbing, skiing, and riding down the edge of slopes is safer than being in the centre.
4. Snow stability changes from day to day and hour to hour. For example, a large spring storm, or a sustained period of hot weather can increase the avalanche danger. During a storm, or immediately after, new snow may not bond well to the icy old snow surface. Also, soon after a storm, several hours of bright sun can warm the surface snow enough to become unstable. However, after a couple of days, the new snow will strengthen and ease the danger.
5. Watch temperatures closely and monitor the snow pack for free water. When you can begin to wring water out of a fist full of snow, it is time to move to more gentle terrain, less than 30 degrees in steepness. Beware of overnight temperatures that do not get below the freezing level, or barely get below freezing for just a short time. When this happens the danger for wet snow avalanches increases earlier the following day. Usually you have little risk when you ski early in the morning when the snow surface is crusty, or just beginning to soften. The danger begins to rise with thaw conditions late in the morning through the afternoon.
6. Hoar frosts or a long period of frosty mornings creates an unstable layer. This layer will remain in the snowpack for weeks/ months.

Big cornices may last well into the summer. To be safe, avoid travelling under cornices when the snow turns wet or when water starts to drip from the cornices.