You want to make smart decisions in avalanche terrain? This book is an incredibly powerful book to help you to accomplish just that. It was recommended reading for a Level 1 Avalanche course (3-day).The book is densely packed with information and shows you nearly everything you should be aware of when managing your risk in avalanche terrain. There are definitely some sections I skimmed through since it was too science-y or didn't fit my skill level though. As a backcountry newbie, the section on...

Some books you can't judge by their covers. This one you can

A well-written, frank, and informative overview of the science behind Avalanches and how to avoid them. Touches on terrain management, snow-pack anatomy, mountain weather, climate, tools, techniques and training. Most crucial, though, is the chapter on the human factor that everybody should read, then read again, and then reread a few more times to keep their ego in check. No substitute for the years on the mountain and hard-learned lessons the author has obviously spent a lifetime collecting, b...

This book should be read, studied and re-read over and over again by anyone planning on spending any time in the backcountry; whether that be snowboarding, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, bird-watching, etc... I plan to read this again, and again... and again. It would be wise to couple the knowledge from this book with avalanche education courses... and it is important to practice what you learn in a controlled environment so you know how to react if/when (hopefully never)

A smoother, chattier read than Snow Sense. Covers more ground, particularly with stability analysis, but because it is much longer the information's also less dense (and less pointed). I do think it did a better job of teasing apart the various, almost contradictory, ways snowpack can evolve in response to weather. Unfortunately this edition came out as they were in the process of revising the North American avalanche conditions, so it's already a bit dated. Nevertheless, this book's reputation

I would consider it the bible of snow analysis. With everyone going out in the backcountry, it is important to read this book, understand and practice. It will save your life. I cannot stress more that information is power and there is a ton of it in this book. If you ski/snowboard out of bounds or just what to understand snow, read it!

I am only 16 pages in, but Tremper's story of getting caught in an avalanche is gripping and this quote is great: "Earthquakes, meteor impacts, and love may strike without warning, but avalanches usually have obvious signs."

A must-read for anyone who is interested in touring the backcountry. Ridiculous amount of avalanche knowledge in this one. I mostly feel just more stupid after reading this and realizing how little I just know.Do yourself a favour and keep reading this through your whole life!

As someone who has had some experience in the backcountry, mostly skiing in the Alps, this book opened my eyes to how ignorant I've been and just how careless I've been. Although I *always* go out with my shovel, probe, and beacon, I didn't really know about the conditions that make avalanches more likely to be caused (by me).This book is a great reference for those who are going into the backcountry, or are thinking about it. Always read your local bulletin, if you're in Tirol, please look at t...

This is kind of a textbook of “everything to know about avalanches by reading a book.” It accomplishes that mission well. As the author himself would say, nothing can replace going and taking a good avalanche course and experiencing snow and snow layers. This book is a fire hose of information that is meant to be combined with practical courses and then practice itself by going out into the snow.It’s an excellent book, but a difficult read.

There are a few books you need to read if you go backcountry skiing; this is one of them, and I found it helpful and sufficient in terms of information coverage.Reading this book is not a substitute for taking an intro to ski touring course e.g. as provided by AIARE. But doing both would help remember that knowledge when you actually need it.

Awesome and critical read about avalanche terrain. A must read for anyone who wants to go into the backcountry. The illustrations alone are worth looking at. Bruce gives you a lot of information, data, and strategies for making decisions in the backcountry.

great

So much information! Had to take a couple breaks because it's so dense. Definitely will come back to this one and freshen up my snow sense.

Read a lot like a text book, but was super informative! I really liked the intense usage of graphs and images, and I felt like it really will be a handbook-type thing for me and backcountry skiing.

The book is a solid reference and well worth the read for any backcountry traveller. I personally found the snow science a bit simplistic and the constant use of analogies a bit annoying.

preddy darn good refresher for AST - not a replacement for AST

Respect the mountains, it's not as safe as it looks out there.

Great information and reference for avalanche avoidance.

The holy text of snow science and safety in the backcountry. Blew my mind and gave me some amazing new perspectives. Would highly recommend.

The book contains a wealth of information, but it is too poorly organized to be instructive.

So much knowledge in this book. Will defiantly be coming back to reread and reference this book

A must-read for anyone interested in identifying avalanche risk and in using avalanche rescue tools

A *MUST* read for anyone that wants to go to the backcountry.

Absolute must-read for anyone venturing into areas of avalanche hazard.

The best book ever written about avalanches. Handy!

This book reads as if Bruce is your AIARE instructor beside you on the slopes. This whole book serves as not just as a how to survive an avalanche but more importantly how to avoid being caught in one in the first place. Bruce has methodically written and rewritten this guide to layout first the building blocks of basic avalanche awareness before laying down the science and psychology of how, when and where they occur. His basic framework relies on summing hazard, exposure and vulnerability to r...

As a skier who has spent my first seven winters in Alta/Snowbird (Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah) in the Wasatch range & now have spent seven winters the Jackson Hole, Wyoming in the Teton Range, I can say this book is a must have for backcountry skiers. I have been caught in an avalanche once, it is damn scary, slides happen fast. I knew stuff but, not enough, I was lucky to come away with only a cracked rib. I knew enough to pick my line, but escape routes & how to survive. I am glad I still a...

I have attended a few short snow safety courses, which have mostly been about checklists and simple rules on how to stay safe(-ish). These are also covered in this book, but in addition, you actually learn about snowpack, how the layers are formed and how they change over time in different conditions and a deeper understanding about the snowpack instead of just listing basic rules about terrain choices and snow conditions. While the book has a lot of science, it is also very approachable and qui...

This book has helped me to realize the backcountry can be a very dangerous place for the uninformed and naive. After a close-call I experienced in the slackcountry or sidecountry of Powder Mountain in UT, I decided it's imperative that I educate myself about the dangers of avalanches and exploring the mountains. Just the first 3 chapters of this book have already proven to be invaluable. I look forward to continuing my education on snow and avalanche safety by finishing this book.