BackCountryCam Quick Safety Tips

Out in the backcountry, the snow conditions are vastly different from those found within the more predictable confines of a ski area. Avalanche safety is one of the most important things you can learn before heading out of ski area boundaries. Below, we've listed some important rules to follow to make it out of the BC safely:

1. Never enter the backcountry alone.
2. Always let someone know of your travel plans and when you expect to return.
3. Everyone’s opinion in the group should be considered and listen to because even the least experience member might spot things (such as cracks in the snow) that others might have missed but don’t consider them important until he is asked about them.
4. Each member of the party should carry water (1 liter per hour), food, eye protection, sunscreen, personal first aid equipment, waterproof fire starter, compass, map, layers of waterproof clothing, shovel, avalanche transceiver beacon turned to transmit, probe pole and a cell phone.
5. Know the terrain around you.
6. Avoid traveling on steep slopes or within gullies and do not stop while traveling underneath them.
7. Everybody that accesses the backcountry on a regular basis should have some avalanche training If you are caught in an avalanche, discard all equipment, and try to get away from it (Colorado Avalanche Information Center).

BC Safety Resources

BackCountry Safety
http://www.backcountrysafety.com
This site serves as a meeting platform for everybody willing to share knowledge on one side and eager to improve on the other.

National Ski Patrol
http://www.nsp.org
Learn backcountry tips from the premier provider of training and education programs for emergency rescuers who serve the outdoor recreation community.

National Outdoor Leadership
http://www.nols.edu
Backcountry safety tips: how the National Outdoor Leadership School experience can help you.

State Forests and Parks
http://www.parks.state.co.us
Backcountry safety tips from State Forest State Park.

Mountain Zone
http://www.mountainzone.com
Learn new backcountry skiing safety tips, expand your safety knowledge with articles written by skiing enthusiasts and porfessionals and read up on backcountry skiing safety before setting off on your next adventure.