Bozeman, Montana is a gateway to some of the most breathtaking and rugged backcountry skiing terrain in the country. With easy access to the Bridger and Gallatin ranges, outdoor enthusiasts flock to the area in search of fresh powder and adventure. However, with that freedom comes responsibility — the responsibility to understand and mitigate avalanche risks. Despite the availability of education and resources, some skiers venture into dangerous terrain under prepared, which puts themselves and others at risk.

The Need for Avalanche Education

Avalanche-prone terrain is unforgiving. The conditions that lead to an avalanche can be unpredictable — and once a slide starts, it moves with immense force. Montana has seen its share of tragic avalanche fatalities, many of which could have been prevented with proper training and preparation.

Education is the first line of defense. Knowing how to assess avalanche conditions, make safe route choices, and execute a rescue efficiently can mean the difference between life and death. Unfortunately, some skiers may underestimate the need for education and assume that having a beacon, probe, and shovel is enough without fully understanding how to use them.

Avalanche education is not just for experts.

Beginners and intermediate skiers benefit immensely from formal training. Attending an Avalanche Level one course, for example, provides hands-on experience in assessing avalanche terrain, understanding snowpack stability, and executing effective rescue strategies. Additional courses, such as Level two Avalanche Training, deepen knowledge and practical skills, preparing backcountry users for more complex scenarios.

To find a local avalanche course, try searching online for “avalanche courses near me.”

To gain insight into avalanche safety, I spoke with Alex Marienthal, an avalanche specialist at the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center (GNFAC). Marienthal has years of experience studying snow science and educating backcountry users on avalanche awareness and risk management. “Most avalanches, whether they are natural or human-triggered, usually occur during storms or after. Especially human-triggered avalanches are accidents we do see during storms, but during or immediately after is when they occur, so that’s a good time to avoid avalanche terrain,” Marienthal said.

Essential Equipment: More Than Just Carrying It

Backcountry skiers and snowboarders should never enter avalanche terrain without three critical pieces of gear: an avalanche transceiver (commonly called a beacon), a probe, and a shovel. However, simply having the gear is not enough — proficiency in its use is crucial.

• Beacons emit signals that help locate buried individuals, but effective use requires regular practice in both search and rescue modes.

• Probes pinpoint the exact location of a buried skier, and knowing how to deploy and use them quickly can drastically cut down rescue times.

• Shovels are essential for digging out a buried person; however, strategic digging techniques can make rescues significantly faster and more effective.

Some skiers at Bridger Bowl’s Schlasman’s Lift (where carrying a beacon is required) assume that simply having a beacon is enough.

However, without proper training, that beacon may be useless in an emergency.

Skiers need to practice beacon searches and rescue scenarios regularly to be sure they know how to use them efficiently under pressure.

One of the best ways to stay proficient with rescue gear is to participate in community beacon drills or practice sessions held by local organizations. These drills simulate real avalanche burial situations, reinforcing the need for speed and efficiency in locating and extracting a buried person.