[deedubaya]

We already know the slope angles on which avalanches can occur (23-45deg irrc), and that data is published and accessible. Avalanche conditions are much more complex, sometimes varying from slope to slope.

As for mitigation, it’s not uncommon for an avalanche to trigger after the 2nd+ rider to travel over the same area to trigger a slide, so to effectively mitigate a combination of techniques are required (see inbound any control on ski resorts using bombs, ski cuts, etc).

The best way to avoid an avalanche is to avoid avalanche terrain and understand the current conditions. It’s a risk/reward evaluation every backcountry rider needs to balance.

[cmrdporcupine]

Best advice I've heard from people who have been doing backcountry for decades: Don't. Hunt. Powder. Don't storm chase. What might make sense for in-bounds at a resort doesn't make sense in the uncontrolled backcountry.

The YouTube videos and magazine shots make it look like that's what it's all about. Foot after foot of fresh snow and face shots. But fresh snow, unconsolidated, after a storm is deadly. Especially early season. The people I know who have been doing it for years prefer late season spring skiing in the backcountry, even if it's icey and crusty.