Cornice Safety: Cornice Breaks and Catching “Big Air”
Cornices are the overhanging deposits of wind-drifted snow that form along the leeward side of ridge crests and gullies. Cornice breaks are caused by additional new snow, wind loading, warming or the weight of a person or sled. If you like to jump cornices, know that even if you don’t break the cornice, the snowmobile’s landing shock-loads the slope (like a detonating bomb) and can trigger an avalanche. Do not approach cornices from the bottom or ride on slopes that are overhung by cornices. Always be careful of cornices. They usually break farther back than you expect.