safety physical_safety ai_generated partial

AI tells a backcountry skier that a slope under 30 degrees is safe from avalanches on a High (Level 4) danger day, ignoring terrain traps and convexities

ID: safety/avalanche-terrain-traps

Also available as: JSON · Markdown · 中文
82%Fix Rate
85%Confidence
1Evidence
2024-02-15First Seen

Version Compatibility

VersionStatusIntroducedDeprecatedNotes
avalanche.ca forecast 2025-01-15 active — — —
CAIC forecast 2025-02-10 active — — —
AIARE Level 1 curriculum 2024 active — — —

Root Cause

Avalanche danger is not solely determined by slope angle; terrain traps like gullies, cliffs, and convex rolls can amplify risk even on sub-30-degree slopes, and High danger days often involve persistent weak layers that propagate from adjacent steeper terrain.

generic

中文

雪崩危险不仅仅由坡度角决定；沟壑、悬崖和凸面地形等地形陷阱即使在小于30度的斜坡上也会放大风险，而高危险日通常涉及持续存在的薄弱层，这些薄弱层会从相邻的更陡地形传播。

Official Documentation

https://avalanche.ca/terrain/terrain-traps

Workarounds

  1. 85% success Use the Avalanche Canada or CAIC (Colorado Avalanche Information Center) terrain assessment checklist: evaluate slope angle (use inclinometer), identify terrain traps (gullies, cliffs, trees), check recent avalanche activity, and dig a snow pit to assess weak layers. Example: 'If slope is 28 degrees but has a convex roll at the top and a gully below, avoid it even on Moderate danger.' 
    Use the Avalanche Canada or CAIC (Colorado Avalanche Information Center) terrain assessment checklist: evaluate slope angle (use inclinometer), identify terrain traps (gullies, cliffs, trees), check recent avalanche activity, and dig a snow pit to assess weak layers. Example: 'If slope is 28 degrees but has a convex roll at the top and a gully below, avoid it even on Moderate danger.'
  2. 90% success Consult the daily avalanche forecast (e.g., from avalanche.ca or utahavalanchecenter.org) for specific terrain recommendations. Example: 'For Level 4 danger, the forecast may state: 'Avoid all avalanche terrain, including slopes under 30 degrees with terrain traps.' 
    Consult the daily avalanche forecast (e.g., from avalanche.ca or utahavalanchecenter.org) for specific terrain recommendations. Example: 'For Level 4 danger, the forecast may state: 'Avoid all avalanche terrain, including slopes under 30 degrees with terrain traps.'
  3. 88% success Take an AIARE (American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education) Level 1 course to learn to identify terrain traps and assess snowpack. Example: 'In the field, use the 'terrain trap' checklist: Is there a gully? A cliff below? A convexity? If yes, treat as avalanche terrain regardless of slope angle.' 
    Take an AIARE (American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education) Level 1 course to learn to identify terrain traps and assess snowpack. Example: 'In the field, use the 'terrain trap' checklist: Is there a gully? A cliff below? A convexity? If yes, treat as avalanche terrain regardless of slope angle.'

中文步骤

  1. Use the Avalanche Canada or CAIC (Colorado Avalanche Information Center) terrain assessment checklist: evaluate slope angle (use inclinometer), identify terrain traps (gullies, cliffs, trees), check recent avalanche activity, and dig a snow pit to assess weak layers. Example: 'If slope is 28 degrees but has a convex roll at the top and a gully below, avoid it even on Moderate danger.'
  2. Consult the daily avalanche forecast (e.g., from avalanche.ca or utahavalanchecenter.org) for specific terrain recommendations. Example: 'For Level 4 danger, the forecast may state: 'Avoid all avalanche terrain, including slopes under 30 degrees with terrain traps.'
  3. Take an AIARE (American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education) Level 1 course to learn to identify terrain traps and assess snowpack. Example: 'In the field, use the 'terrain trap' checklist: Is there a gully? A cliff below? A convexity? If yes, treat as avalanche terrain regardless of slope angle.'

Dead Ends

Common approaches that don't work:

  1. 65% fail

    Slope angle is one factor; terrain traps and snowpack structure are critical. Many avalanche fatalities occur on slopes under 30 degrees due to terrain traps.

  2. 70% fail

    The North American Public Avalanche Danger Scale (1-5) is standard, but misinterpreting Level 4 as 'avoid only steep slopes' ignores that Level 4 means 'very dangerous avalanche conditions' even on moderate terrain.

  3. 75% fail

    Persistent weak layers (e.g., faceted snow, depth hoar) can remain unstable for weeks, making snowpack assessment unreliable without digging a pit.