Over the last two weeks, avalanches have riddled the news from Europe through North America. The deadliest avalanche in decades roared through the Austrian Alps (Galtuer) on February 23, and another struck Valzur the following day. Avalanches in the Austrian, Swiss and French Alps were a result of the heaviest snowfall in more than 50 years. In Washington State on the Pacific coast of North...

The Forest Service's National Avalanche Center teaches users the basics of how to recognize avalanche terrain and how to travel safely in these environments. Users can view images of the four kinds of avalanches: slab, ice fall, point release, and wet. Through a slide presentation, visitors can discover how to safely spend a day in the backcountry. The website also addresses how to survive an...