European avalanche risk table
In Europe, the avalanche risk is widely rated on the following scale, which
was adopted in April 1993 to replace the earlier non-standard national schemes.
| Risk Level |
Snow Stability |
Avalanche Risk |
| 1 - Low |
Snow is generally very stable. |
Avalanches are unlikely except when heavy loads [2] are applied on a very few extreme steep slopes. Any spontaneous avalanches will be minor (sluffs). In general, safe conditions. |
| 2 - Limited |
On some steep slopes the snow is only moderately stable [1]. Elsewhere it is very stable. |
Avalanches may be triggered when heavy [2] loads are applied, especially on a few generally identified steep slopes. Large spontaneous avalanches are not expected. |
| 3 - Medium |
On many steep slopes [1] the snow is only moderately or weakly stable. |
Avalanches may be triggered on many slopes even if only light loads [2] are applied. On some slopes, medium or even fairly large spontaneous avalanches may occur. |
| 4 - High |
On most steep slopes [1] the snow is not very stable. |
Avalanches are likely to be triggered on many slopes even if only light loads [2] are applied. In some places, many medium or sometimes large spontaneous avalanches are likely. |
| 5 - Very High |
The snow is generally unstable. |
Even on gentle slopes, many large spontaneous avalanches are likely to occur. |
[1] Stability:
- Generally described in more detail in the avalanche bulletin (regarding the altitude, aspect, type of terrain etc.)
[2] additional load:
- heavy: two or more skiers or boarders without spacing between them, a single hiker or climber, a grooming machine, avalanche blasting.
- light: a single skier or snowboarder smoothly linking turns and without falling,
a group of skiers or snowboarders with a minimum 10m gap between each person,
a single person on snowshoes.
Gradient:
- gentle slopes: with an incline below about 30°.
- steep slopes: with an incline over 30°.
- very steep slopes: with an incline over 35°.
- extreme steep slopes: extreme in terms of the incline (over 40°), the terrain profile, proximity of the ridge, smoothness of underlying ground.
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