Avalanches are one of the most dangerous hazards in the mountains, capable of reaching speeds of 80 mph in just seconds. For skiers, snowboarders, and mountaineers venturing into the backcountry or off-piste terrain, understanding how to react in an avalanche can mean the difference between life and death. While prevention and preparation are key, knowing what to do during and after an avalanche increases your chances of survival.
Assess the terrain and risk
The best way to survive an avalanche is to avoid one altogether. Begin every day in the backcountry by evaluating the terrain and the avalanche risk. Check the local avalanche report for the day’s danger level and consider weather conditions like recent heavy snow, high winds, or rapid temperature changes, which can destabilize the snowpack.
In the field, look for telltale signs of danger, such as cracking snow, recent avalanches, or hollow-sounding snow underfoot. Steer clear of slopes steeper than 30 degrees, as these are prime avalanche zones. Always be aware of your surroundings, including terrain traps like cliffs, gullies, or trees, which can increase the severity of an avalanche. If in doubt, choose safer, lower-angle terrain or turn back altogether.
Have the appropriate gear and training
Proper preparation is non-negotiable in avalanche terrain. Essential equipment includes a beacon (transceiver), shovel, and probe, which are your tools for locating and rescuing buried companions. However, these are only effective if everyone in your group knows how to use them, so taking an avalanche safety course is critical.
Training programs teach snow science, terrain assessment, and rescue protocols, giving you the skills to make informed decisions. Consider investing in an avalanche airbag backpack, which can help keep you on the surface, and a RECCO reflector for increased searchability. Remember, no gear or training is a substitute for sound judgment—if conditions look dangerous, don’t take unnecessary risks. But what happens if an avalanche does occur?
React quickly and get clear
In the seconds after an avalanche begins, your reaction is critical. If you are at the top of the slide, or think that you may be about to cause one, jump quickly uphill and try to get to safety. If this isn’t possible, make an effort to move immediately to the side of the avalanche’s path, as snow typically flows in a funnel shape. Shouting can alert others to the danger, giving them precious seconds to react, too.
If escape isn’t possible, try to grab onto a tree or a rock to avoid being carried downhill. Positioning yourself at the edge of the slide rather than its center can reduce the force and increase your chances of staying near the surface. Time is of the essence — every second you spend hesitating reduces your chance of escape.
Start swimming
If you’re swept up in an avalanche, your priority is to stay on the surface. Use a swimming motion with your arms and legs to fight against the flow of snow. Think of it as treading water in a strong current. The goal is to prevent yourself from being sucked deeper into the slide, where survival becomes increasingly unlikely.
Keep your body as horizontal as possible, which can help reduce the risk of injury and improve your chances of staying near the surface. The more active you are during the slide, the better your odds of avoiding complete burial.
Hold your arm up
As you’re carried by the avalanche, thrust one arm above your head. This serves two purposes: first, it creates a potential marker for rescuers to locate you quickly, and second, it helps you gauge how deep you are buried.
Even if you lose awareness of your position, a hand sticking out of the snow dramatically improves your visibility to search teams. Maintaining this position can be difficult in the chaos of a slide, but it’s an important step that could save critical minutes during a rescue operation.
Dig an airpocket around your face
If you feel the avalanche slowing and suspect burial is imminent, use your hands or arms to create space around your face. This air pocket will provide vital oxygen while you wait for rescue.
Snow compacts quickly after an avalanche stops, hardening into a substance almost like cement. Once the snow settles, it becomes nearly impossible to move. Acting swiftly to form an air pocket ensures you have a small but essential supply of breathable air, giving rescuers more time to locate and dig you out.
Conserve energy and oxygen
Once buried, staying calm is essential for survival. Panicking uses up oxygen more quickly, which can lead to suffocation. Focus on conserving your energy by staying still and controlling your breathing. This is particularly important if you’ve managed to create an air pocket.
The average survival window for someone buried in an avalanche is 15 minutes, so keeping yourself composed can extend your chances of being found alive. Trust your group or rescue team to locate you, and avoid shouting or unnecessary movement unless you hear rescuers nearby.
Wait for rescue
Remaining calm and patient while waiting for rescue is difficult, but vital. Your group’s preparation and training will now come into play, so trust them to act quickly and effectively. Rescuers will use transceivers to locate your position, probes to pinpoint your depth, and shovels to dig you out.
While it’s natural to feel panic, focus on conserving oxygen and waiting for signs of their approach. If you’ve taken the necessary safety precautions beforehand, your chances of rescue are significantly higher. Every action you took earlier—from gear preparation to maintaining an air pocket—will now work in your favor.
In summary
Surviving an avalanche depends on a combination of preparation, quick thinking, and staying calm under pressure. By assessing terrain, carrying the right gear, and knowing how to react in an avalanche, you can significantly improve your chances of survival. Remember, prevention is the best approach—if conditions seem unsafe, it’s always better to avoid the risk altogether.
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