Avalanche Forecasts
The regional avalanche forecast is issued by local meteorological experts and is there to provide you with specific indicators of likely risk. The local forecast is created by the piste patrol based on their experience of the mountain. There may be a difference. I would be guided whichever is the highest level warning.
The local forecast is created early in the morning and will be published on noticeboards around the ski area. The regional forecast is created the prior evening and published on the web (see links below). Links to the bulletins are click here
These avalanche forecasts tell you about snow stability: reading the avalanche forecast is essential to understand the risks for the day. It includes a danger rating. To use the avalanche forecast, you must understand the definition for the ratings. This table is carefully worded, read it in detail and this will help you to know how to conduct yourself off piste.
Click on the blue buttons to hear Henry describe each rating
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Danger/Risk level |
Click to listen |
Snow stability |
Probability you can trigger an avalanche |
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Very few unstable slabs. The snow pack is well bonded and stable in most places [1]. |
Triggering is possible generally only with high additional loads[2] on a very few very steep slopes[4]. Only a few small natural[6] avalanches (sluffs) possible. |
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Unstable slabs possible on some steep[3] slopes[1] |
Triggering is possible with high additional loads[2], particularly on the steep[3] slopes indicated in the bulletin. Large natural[6] avalanches not likely. |
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Unstable slabs probable on some steep[3] slopes [1]. |
Triggering is possible, sometimes even with low additional loads[2]. The bulletin may indicate many slopes which are particularly affected. In certain conditions, medium and occasionally large sized natural[6] avalanches may occur. |
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Unstable slabs likely on many steep [3] slopes |
Triggering is probable even with low additional loads[2] on many steep[3] slopes. In some conditions, frequent medium or large sized natural[6] avalanches are likely. Triggering and exposure to avalanches is possible on many lower angle slopes [1]. |
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The snowpack is weakly bonded and very unstable |
Numerous large natural[6] avalanches are likely to reach low angle slopes. Extensive safety measures (closures and evacuation) are necessary. No off-piste or back country skiing or travel should be undertaken due to a high risk of exposure. |
Notes
- These places or slopes are generally described in more detail in the avalanche bulletin (e.g. altitude, slope aspect, type of slope/terrain, etc.).
- High additional load is group of skiers, piste-machine, avalanche blasting. Low additional load is a single skier, walker.
- Steep slopes are those with an incline of more than 30 degrees
- Steep extreme slope are those which are particularly unfavourable in terms of the incline, terrain profile, proximity to ridge, smoothness of underlying ground surface.
- Aspect is the direction the slope faces. e.g. if you have your back to the slope and you faces south, the aspect is south facing
- Natural means without human assistance.
Avalanche Bulletins
You also need to get an idea of where the instability is most acute on that particular day. The avalanche forecast and bulletins include this dnager rating, but they also give ourt a lot of valuable information. Study these every day. We do this every day before we go out.
English translations on Piste Hors
Savoie Avalanche Bulletin http://pistehors.com/wap/DEPT73.htm
Isere Avalanche Bulletin http://pistehors.com/wap/DEPT38.htm
Haute-Provence Avalanche Bulletin (he's made a mistake on this one and i've told him)
Alpes Maritimes Avalanche Bulletin http://pistehors.com/wap/DEPT06.htm
Corse du Sud Avalanche Bulletin http://pistehors.com/wap/DEPT2B.htm
Hautes Pyrénées Avalanche Bulletin: http://pistehors.com/wap/DEPT65.htm
Haute Garonne Avalanche Bulletin: http://pistehors.com/wap/DEPT31.htm
Ariège Avalanche Bulletin: http://pistehors.com/wap/DEPT31.htm
Andorra Avalanche Bulletin: http://pistehors.com/wap/ANDORRE.htm
Pyrénées Orientales Avalanche Bulletin http://pistehors.com/wap/DEPT66.htm
French (original text) versions from Meteo France
Alpes du Nord
Southern Alps
Corsica
Pyrénées
- Pyrénées Atlantiques Avalanche Bulletin
- Hautes Pyrénées Avalanche Bulletin
- Haute Garonne Avalanche Bulletin
- Ariège Avalanche Bulletin
- Andorra Avalanche Bulletin
- Pyrénées Orientales Avalanche Bulletin
North America Scale
This follows similar principles and can be used in the same way. The defintiions are slightly different.
