Going to the Mountains This Winter? Read This.
A new online tool breaks down avalanche basics for anyone planning snowy fun off the beaten path.
By Sarah Stackhouse December 16, 2025
I’m a rule follower when it comes to the outdoors. This summer, my family did some backcountry hiking in Whistler and made sure to do everything by the book—texting friends our plan and location, and wearing a bear bell even though it felt a little dorky. It’s reassuring to know you’ve covered the basics before you head into wild terrain.
Winter is no different. As more people venture into the mountains each year, a quick refresher on avalanche safety can make a big difference.
Earlier this fall, the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) rolled out Avalanche Aware, a free, one-hour online course on avalanche safety, developed with support from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center and the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC). “Many people stepping into the backcountry for the first time don’t know where to begin or understand the importance of avalanche safety,” says Vickie Hormuth, executive director of AIARE, which has been teaching avalanche fundamentals since 1998 and now works with more than 100 course providers nationwide, offering over 1,500 classes each year.
Avalanches aren’t limited to expert skiers or high-alpine terrain. If you’re walking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, splitboarding, or hiking anywhere snow can slide, you could be at risk. During the 2024–25 winter season, 22 people in the U.S. were killed. For some, a small amount of preparation could have changed the outcome.
The course uses short videos to explain how avalanches form, what unstable snow looks like, how people unintentionally trigger slides, and how to read your local avalanche forecast. After completing it, users are pointed toward local classes and on-snow courses.
For Washington and Oregon recreationists, the partnership with NWAC—which serves more than 700,000 backcountry users across the region—means the material reflects the snowpack and terrain people actually encounter here.
If you’re heading into the mountains this season, even occasionally, consider adding this to your pre-trip checklist.
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