Traveling Smart in Avalanche Terrain
When riding in known avalanche terrain, try to limit your group size to only three or four people. There is decreased safety when the group size is large since it is difficult to communicate, make good decisions and follow safe travel procedures. But do not split your group. Stop periodically to look for clues to instability in the snowpack and to discuss the avalanche hazard.

NEVER travel above your partner. Remember, one at a time on steep slopes and park in safe spots while watching the person who is exposed to the avalanche hazard. Each rider in the group should wear a transmitting avalanche beacon and also carry a probe and shovel in a small pack. If the tools you need to save your friend are on your buried sled, your friend may die. Before you drive to the trailhead, confirm that every member of the group has this rescue gear and knows how to use it. Check to make sure all beacons work in “transmit” and “receive” modes.

Always ride with your helmet securely strapped. Full-face helmets have saved a few avalanche victims by providing some built-in air space (although you can’t count on this). Assumptions can kill you. Avalanches don’t care what you want to do or how skilled you are. Don’t be reassured just because you have ridden in the area many times before. It doesn’t matter that it is a nice day (most avalanche accidents happen on blue sky days after storms), that there are tracks on the slope, or that you’re wearing a beacon. Remember that you can have fun even on unstable days by staying away from steep slopes.