How to prepare for backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding

Warning: There are myriad of inherent risks in backcountry snow sports. Reading this article is a good start, but it’s no substitute for formal education or practice using your own equipment.

More and more riders are heading into the backcountry to enjoy the benefits—untracked powder, crowd-free runs, and pristine adventure. However, to say that you should “be prepared” before heading into the backcountry would be an understatement. Knowing what to do when things don’t go as planned in the backcountry can save lives. Not only do you need life-saving gear and an understanding of how to use it, but you also need to have taken avalanche safety awareness classes, understand how weather patterns affect the snow, have a knowledgeable guide when going to a new place, and a mapped-out route. All of this is a lot easier said than done, so read on to learn more about the importance of backcountry safety, understand some key principles and practices, find out more about the resources available to you, and learn about the gear you need.