Last week a snowboarder had a lucky escape after being caught in an avalanche in Colorado. Maurice Kervin and a friend hiked two hours to No Name Peak, above Loveland Ski Area to try and score a line.

“It’s more important than ever to have some restraint and be safe in the backcountry”

In his helmet cam footage you can see the slab below Kervin start to go and he ends up being swept down over 1000 vertical feet, managing to deploy his airbag and thankfully stay on top of the pack. “I started to do a backstroke and tried to kick my feet up to stay on top of the snow,” he said. “You float on the snow easier instead of being sucked down into the washing machine, so called.”

Thanks in part to increased resort closures and COVID restrictions, more and more people are venturing off the beaten track this season, but it’s more important than ever to have some restraint and be safe in the backcountry. Already this season the avalanche risks in North America have skyrocketed, with calls for Search and Rescue teams on the rise across the country.

“The Five Red Flags of potential avalanche danger from Jones are a good place to start when heading out”

It’s imperative not get carried away and get in over your head when riding in the backcountry. The Five Red Flags of potential avalanche danger from Jones are a good place to start when heading out. Stay safe out there, always use a guide if possible, pack safety equipment (and learn to use it!), take avvy courses, and never ride alone.