Avalanche Danger Ratings

Every day, your resort issues an avalanche risk rating or avalanche danger rating for the area.

Understanding what this avalanche risk rating means is the first step in ensuring you stay safe.

We have prepared these definitions to help you understand what goes behind each score.  Every word is carefully chosen, so please read these carefully.

It is not a simple linear scale of risk. 1 does not mean it is all safe and 5 does not mean it is all dangerous.  In particular, it is not OK to say, the risk is down to level 2  or level 3 so we can go off piste anywhere we like.

Listen to Henry describe each rating in detail

Click on blue buttons

The French warning flags

Low  danger
risk level 1  

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Moderate  danger
Risk level 2

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Considerable danger
Risk level 3  

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High danger
Risk level 4 

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Extreme danger
Risk level 5

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Here are the detailed descriptions - the wording is very carefully prepared

Risk level

Warning flag

Snow pack Stability

Probability that you could trigger an avalanche

Low  danger
risk level 1  

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.

Moderate  danger
Risk level 2

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.

Considerable danger
Risk level 3  

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.

High danger
Risk level 4 

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].

Extreme danger
Risk level 5

The snow pack 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.

Additional notes

1. These places or slopes are generally described in more detail in the avalanche bulletin (e.g. altitude, slope aspect, type of slope/terrain, etc.).
2. High additional load is group of skiers, piste-machine, avalanche blasting.  Low additional load is a single skier, walker.
3. Steep slopes are those with an incline of more than 30 degrees
4. Steep extreme slope are those which are particularly unfavourable in terms of the incline, terrain profile, proximity to ridge, smoothness of underlying ground surface.
5. Aspect is the direction the slope faces. e.g. if you are on the slope and it faces South,  the aspect is South facing
6. Natural means without human assistance.