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Advisories


Conditions at the Ski Area occasionally warrant advisories to be issued. These advisories are posted on our snow report and at the ski area. Listed below are the signs associated with each advisory and the corresponding information.
CURRENT
Advisories
  • Variable Snow Base Possible creeks, rocks, sticks, sudden variations in terrain, steep dips and other obstacles.
Click here for detailed advisory information

For detailed info and links to other safety information sites, scroll down to the Advisory(s) block that matches the "Current" Advisory(s)

Deep Snow & Tree Well Advisory

DEEP SNOW & TREE WELL HAZARD ADVISORY

Snow suffocation hazard due to deep snow immersion and tree wells may exist.
• Always ski or ride with a partner, and STAY IN VISUAL CONTACT
• Avoid skiing or snowboarding near trees.
• Assume all trees have hazardous tree wells.
• Skiing and riding on groomed runs is recommended to help avoid tree wells & deep snow hazards.
• See "Tree Well & Deep Snow Safety" website for details or www.deepsnowsafety.org
Fortunately, the risk of falling into a tree well or deep snow hazard is completely avoidable.


Tree Well Advisory

TREE WELL HAZARD ADVISORY

Snow suffocation hazard due to tree wells may exist.
• Always ski or ride with a partner, and STAY IN VISUAL CONTACT
• Avoid skiing or snowboarding near trees.
• Assume all trees have hazardous tree wells.
• Skiing and riding on groomed runs is recommended to help avoid tree well hazards.
• See "Tree Well & Deep Snow Safety" website for details or www.deepsnowsafety.org
Fortunately, the risk of falling into a tree well is completely avoidable.

VARIABLE SNOW BASE ADVISORY

Ski and ride with extra caution and awareness because you may encounter possible creeks, rocks, sticks, sudden variations in terrain, steep dips, drops and other obstacles that may be marked or unmarked at the Ski Area and in or near the areas open for skiing and riding.

ICY CONDITIONS ADVISORY

Use extra caution and awareness. Icy conditions exist in some areas.
Ski and ride with extra caution and care on steep and shaded areas.

NWAC BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE DANGER RATING
EXTREME (5)

Issued by: Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center (NWAC)

Mt. Baker Ski Patrol will NOT RESPOND for rescue.

• Travel Advice: Avoid all avalanche terrain.
• Likelihood of Avalanches: Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain.
• Avalanche Size and Distribution: Large to very large avalanches in many areas.

Avalanche danger rating levels are only general guidelines for the Cascades below 7,000 feet. May vary hourly for Mt. Baker backcountry conditions.
North American Public Avalanche Danger Scale - Avalanche danger is determined by the likelihood, size and distribution of avalanches. View Full Avalanche Danger Scale Chart
Detailed NWAC Avalanche Forecast for day is posted at the White Salmon & Heather Meadows Admin Offices
Burials don't happen by accident and most human involvement is a matter of choice, not chance.
Safe backcountry travel requires training and experience. You control your own risk by choosing where, when and how you travel. Do you have the skills to save your buddy's life?

Backcountry Avalanche Danger: High Advisory Sign

NWAC BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE DANGER RATING:
HIGH (4)

Issued by: Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center (NWAC)

Mt. Baker Ski Patrol will NOT RESPOND for rescue.

• Travel Advice: Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain NOT recommended.
• Likelihood of Avalanches: Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely
• Avalanche Size and Distribution: Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas.

Avalanche danger rating levels are only general guidelines for the Cascades below 7,000 feet. May vary hourly for Mt. Baker backcountry conditions.
North American Public Avalanche Danger Scale - Avalanche danger is determined by the likelihood, size and distribution of avalanches. View Full Avalanche Danger Scale Chart
Detailed NWAC Avalanche Forecast for day is posted at the White Salmon & Heather Meadows Admin Offices
Burials don't happen by accident and most human involvement is a matter of choice, not chance.
Safe backcountry travel requires training and experience. You control your own risk by choosing where, when and how you travel. Do you have the skills to save your buddy's life?