Avalanche! Where ... here? Published March 1, 2011 By Master Sgt. Joshua Franklin 11th Air Force Ground Safety EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- According to www.ultimate-ski.com, an average of 28 people are killed by avalanches every year and in recent years fewer than half of the people that are caught in avalanches survive to be rescued. Additionally, in a 2008 USA Today article author Oren Dorell wrote the death rate is increasing because people are venturing farther and farther in the back country and venturing onto unstable snow surfaces. So how can you stay safe while pursuing activities like snowmachining, skiing and snowboarding? Well, it helps to know where avalanches can occur and avoid these areas. It also helps to know the meanings of phrases such as angle of repose, cornice of snow, the risks of convex versus concave snow slopes and the importance of the disparity between the tensile and compressive strength of the snow in the area. For now, let's focus on where to go for up-to-date information regarding avalanche risks in Alaska. The Alaska Avalanche Information Center (www.alaskanow.org) is the portal for everything from snow observations to general avalanche education (just in case you are still thinking about the angle of repose mentioned above). The site also has a "Snowmachine" tab for with quick links to skills training courses, awareness training, and many of the snowmachine clubs in the state. So if this winter and early spring find you out of doors, enjoying this wonderful part of the United States please remember that avalanches are a real concern. Stopping by one of these websites may very well be one of the most important parts of preparation you do before leaving home.