Avalanches, which are rapid down-slope movements of snow, ice, and debris, can occur within the boundaries of a ski resort. While resorts manage the terrain to minimize this natural risk, they cannot eliminate it entirely. Ski resorts employ sophisticated, daily avalanche control programs to ensure the safety of open slopes for the public. The residual level of safety depends heavily on the specific location a skier or rider chooses and their adherence to stated rules and warnings.
Where Avalanches Occur on Resort Property
Avalanche risk within a resort’s overall area is highly specific to the terrain type and its management status. The vast majority of a ski resort’s open slopes, known as controlled terrain, are regularly patrolled and stabilized. These areas have the lowest risk profile because the snowpack is actively managed through mitigation techniques and skier traffic, which helps compact the snow. Resorts may also have permanently closed terrain within their boundary that is too steep or unstable to ever be opened safely for public use.
The greatest danger lies in areas accessible from the resort but not under its operational control, often marked by boundary gates. These gates provide access to the backcountry, which is explicitly “not patrolled” and receives no avalanche control work. The snowpack in these uncontrolled areas remains natural and unmitigated, meaning the risk is identical to that of any remote mountain environment. Most avalanche fatalities associated with resort access occur when skiers or riders venture outside the controlled boundary into this unmanaged terrain.
Resort Avalanche Control and Mitigation Techniques
Resort safety begins with a dedicated Snow Safety Team that uses daily forecasting to predict avalanche hazards. This process involves observing the weather, wind, and temperature, as well as analyzing the internal snowpack layers through stability tests. This continuous monitoring determines which areas may be at risk and require proactive stabilization before the lifts open.
The primary control technique is the use of explosives, often referred to as “blasting.” Explosive work involves intentionally triggering smaller avalanches in high-risk, closed areas to remove unstable snow before it can build into a larger, natural slide. These controlled detonations can be deployed using hand-thrown charges, specialized air guns, or remote systems like the Wyssen Tower, which remotely detonates charges.
Terrain management is another fundamental technique, relying on physical barriers to protect skiers from known hazards. Ropes, fences, and signage are used to close high-risk areas, such as those where control work is being performed or the snowpack is temporarily unstable. Patrol teams will not open terrain until it has been assessed and stabilized, ensuring the risk is reduced to an acceptable level for recreational use.
Skier and Rider Safety Responsibilities
The safety measures implemented by a ski resort rely on the cooperation of every guest. Adhering strictly to all signage, ropes, and closures is mandatory, as these boundaries separate the public from known or potential hazards, including active avalanche control work. Entering a closed area can expose a person to an unstabilized slope or an imminent detonation.
For any person choosing to access terrain outside the patrolled resort boundary, specific preparation is necessary. Backcountry travel requires carrying proper safety equipment, including an avalanche transceiver, a shovel, and a probe. Carrying this gear is insufficient without formal training in how to use it for companion rescue, as professional help is not minutes away outside the boundary.
Basic mountain awareness is a personal responsibility that contributes to overall safety. This includes skiing with a partner, being aware of current avalanche warnings, and recognizing signs of instability, such as “whumpfing” sounds or cracks radiating through the snow. Understanding that the steepest terrain (typically between 30 and 45 degrees) is the most prone to dry-snow avalanches allows skiers to make informed decisions about where they travel.