It doesn’t necessarily have to be a steep piece of terrain for snow to slide. It doesn’t have to be a huge fall line, with tons of vertical. We can be caught in a terrain trap where a lesser-angled slope rolls into a gully. These skiers in Switzerland were shredding seriously dry powder when they roll over a horizon and the slope gives away. They were able to dig their buried friend out but not all of them were wearing avalanche transceivers. The buried skier was able to get his pole above the surface. So unbelievably lucky.
Be prepared. Here’s the important gear. And some important hints to think about before you start charging the bc this winter.