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Well there are several centers for avalanche information, but probably the most user-friendly is Mammut's safety app. It organizes avalanche bulletins, will tell you what the current avalanche dangeer level is and other cool stuff like that. Free download too.
Seriously though, the only way to know really is to go to an Avi class and study your face off. If you're inthe mtns regularly you should absolutely know what to look for and how to find it. You won't get a second chance to save your life or a friend's when that slab breaks no matter what the app told you.
Came here to say that. Beat me to it.
Thas is quite possibly one of the most ignorant things I've ever read on here.
That fact that you've skied in the Alps for a decade and a half and think you've never put yourself in a dangerous situation tells me you have a lot to learn about snow safety and respect for the mountains... Or you're a fuckin gaper who only skis park. The secondary issue is that you think knowing snow safety somehow opens you up to danger, which is disturbing to say the least.
If this isn't what you're saying, then forgive me, but that is one of the dumbest, most dangerous and clueless things I think I've ever seen on here as it stands now. Take your head out of your ass before you get yourself or someone around you killed. Being ignorant in the mountains is a recipe for disaster.
Oh I got that but clearly I thought you and your assclown felch partner must be joking, as that's the dumbest fucking statement I've ever read on here.
If not, you're essentially saying all I have to do is never push myself, never ski a hairy, steep line and only ski what's already been blow'd up by a patrol somewhere? I don't know where you ski, but that sounds dumb as fuck as that's the whole point of getting into the BC imo. Maybe you don't get that???
See, the rest of us might want to push ourselves. Maybe bag a peak we've been eyeing for a while or go somewhere we aren't familiar with or ski a line that isn't completely snowfucked by bombs. Those types of people need the tools to evaluate their situation and conditions to be able to make educated decisions, not just "I dunno dawg, that shit looks kinda dangerous". OF COURSE IT DOES THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT UNLESS YOU SKI LIKE A FUCKING BITCH ASS POSER AND ONLY SKI LOW ANGLE BULSHIT IN WHICH CASE JUST STAY IN THE FUCKING RESORT.
A decent analogy to what douchenuts is suggesting is why wear a seatbelt when you can just stay home? It just makes no sense. Why wouldn't someone who rides BC want to be as educated as possible about what they're seeing, what that means and WHERE/WHEN/WHY to say no??? Do me a favor and remove yourself from conversations you have nothing of substance to add, especially when your ignorance could get somebody killed. OP had a question, people are encouraging him to maximize his safety knowledge and fen is saying no??? Fuck. Off.
Suspicions: confirmed.
Obviously the maturity to be able to say no is part of education and training. To say it gives you a false sense of security is in and of itself false. Any student of the flakes worth their ass knows their life is on the line and their ability to weigh concerns, see hidden dangers and factor in their familiarity with the terrain to come to an EDUCATED decision is the number one thing they can have with them. Not only that, I've never heard someone NOT act on the side of caution if there's any question once they know what's up.
To use another analogy, most car accidents happen within 2 miles of your house because familiarity and nonchalance spawns carelessness and that leads to mistakes. Jesus man, sorry if I'm getting amped up but I get fkn shook when I hear people downplaying the importance of being taught the proper knowledge to be able to judge what it is you're seeing to people asking about snow safety. Nobody wants to hear somebody died, so I say yes- training is first and foremost and the ability to discern a course of action as a result of the consideration of these factors can only come after that. Fuck familiarity, fuck your friends and their pseudo "it's worked so far" knowledge, fuck guessing and fuck an uneducated guess. Just my .02- call me an asshole for it, I don't care. Don't tell someone else that since it worked for you so far, it's cool for them too because it's not and that's all I'm getting at. To tell people to just stay out of steep terrain because it could be dangerous isn't doing anyone any favors either. It's more like sticking your head in the sand.
based on my knowledge, you should just stay home as that shit looks sort of dangerous ;)
Wow you're totally right, this works great! Fuck, I'mma cancel all future avi courses...
Jesus H Christ.
I'll try to use little words so it can sink in...
Nobody who has ever been taught properly would ever think that. This is what Im getting at. This is what you aren't getting. This is why I'm making fun of you. You're making assumptions that your personal experience-based judgement is more valuable than decades of snow research, hence my firey responses.
See, we are in agreement that knowing when to walk away is most important, but how can you expect to make the right decision consistently if you don't have the tools to know what you're seeing? This is my main issue with your position and I wish you'd admit it's a fucking terrible way to make a call.
Also that pic you posted makes me wish I could physically beat some sense into you. Never been in a dangerous place on that mountain? That sounds more like ignorance to me than anything. I really wish you the best but honestly I'm sort of worried about you now :(
Right here you implied that being a mountain guide is as safe as being a clueless asswipe.
This is where I lost it in case you were wondering.
I fucking give up.
If anyone is trying to bake a disaster cake in the Alps, this would be a great recipe.
