| The dream of almost every skier or snowboarder is | | | | snowboarder - or a snowmobile is added the layer |
| to be whisked up a high mountains in a chair lift, | | | | below lets go from the ones below and a large pan |
| gondola or helicopter and then to stand poised at the | | | | begins to come apart from the main piece. Because |
| threshold of a steep slope with the anticipation of | | | | those involved are beyond the break when it |
| great ride on a cushion of untouched powder. It could | | | | happens escape is very difficult as they are part of |
| also be the effect of the untouched snow bringing | | | | the piece. Then the slab break ups as it slides and |
| back visions of childrens fairy tales. However, this | | | | overtakes the hapless adventurers. |
| event could be the last ride of the dreamer's life. | | | | 2. Sluff-Type Avalanches |
| Because each year many veteran skiers and | | | | Sluff-type avalanches are also called "loose snow |
| snowboarders risk life and limb skiing on dangerous | | | | avalanches. These are powdery areas of snow that |
| downhill and cross-country runs because of | | | | break off when the vibration from thee motion of |
| avalanches. | | | | skiers, snowmobilers or snowboarders dislodges the |
| Ski areas around the world have personnel who | | | | pan. These are small avalanches that rarely kill but |
| study avalanches and they know avalanche | | | | many people are injured if they get caught up in one. |
| conditions. This is in addition to government agencies | | | | 3. Wet Avalanches |
| that are tasked with avalanche watches and | | | | Melting spring snow in the spring produces small |
| constantly test the snowy slopes. All the high bowls | | | | streams under the snow pans and saturates the |
| and ski runs are checked with relation to | | | | snow layers as well. this weakens the layers and, as |
| temperature, snow level of the packed base, fresh | | | | no two snow layers have the same properties, this |
| snow fall level, slope, etc. Computer-generated | | | | moisture causes one layer to slide over another one. |
| simulations also can track the patterns of avalanches | | | | Key things to remember for skiers, snowboarders |
| in an area before they happen and this technology | | | | and snowmobilers: |
| has saved countless lives. | | | | 1. Watch the Slope: An avalanche can occur if the |
| Here are some of the major avalanche types: | | | | snow-laden slope is over 30 degrees. |
| 1. Slab-Type Avalanches | | | | 2. Snow Pack ID: Know what the snow pack is |
| The slab avalanche is the most dangerous. When the | | | | before starting out over it. Check with the authorities |
| "old" snow - snow that has fallen weeks or months | | | | and follow their advice. |
| before - does not get a chance to get compacted | | | | 3. Heed Warning Signs: Ski authorities put signs up for |
| with the base layer below a new, thick snowfall | | | | a reason. |
| afterward adds more weight to the unstable layer | | | | You can have fun by not gambling with your life! |
| below. So when the weight of a human - skier, or | | | | |