Although luck plays a role in surviving an avalanche, people who go out into the winter mountains prepared for trouble have a much better chance of coming home alive than those who ignore safety precautions. At a minimum, venturing into avalanche territory alone or in mediocre health is inviting trouble.

Experts advise that members of an outdoor recreation party keep a comfortable distance from each other in potential avalanche terrain. They caution against the mountain climbers' practice of roping people together. Not only can it drag a person who would otherwise be safe into an avalanche, but injuries can also occur when people are caught up in a rope during the violent fall.

Savvy climbers will, whenever possible, climb or descend a questionable slope on the edges, and cross either above or below the slope. "If forced to negotiate dangerous areas," writes Robert Young...