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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Sports

Avalanche Safety and Ski Technique Knowledge Test

Assess Your Avalanche Awareness and Ski Skills

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Paper art depicting a trivia quiz on Avalanche Safety and Ski Technique Knowledge Test

Ready to test your avalanche safety smarts and refine your ski technique? This Avalanche Safety and Ski Technique Knowledge Test offers 15 multiple-choice questions to challenge both beginners and seasoned backcountry enthusiasts. Users get instant feedback and practical tips for safer runs. Educators and students alike can explore mountain risk management through our Ski Safety Knowledge Test and compare insights with other Fire Safety Knowledge Test topics. Everyone can customize the questions in our easy editor - just head over to quizzes to start tweaking or creating new ones today.

Which terrain feature is a visible sign of recent avalanche activity?
Sun cups on surface
Fresh debris field
Tree wells
Animal tracks
A fresh debris field is direct evidence that an avalanche has recently occurred and indicates unstable snow. Animal tracks, sun cups, and tree wells are unrelated to avalanche debris. Recognizing debris fields helps identify dangerous slopes.
Which tool is part of the essential 'avalanche safety trio' for backcountry skiing?
Ski helmet
Crampons
Ski wax
Avalanche transceiver (beacon)
An avalanche transceiver is used to send and receive signals to locate buried victims in an avalanche. It is one of the three essential items along with a probe and shovel. Helmets, wax, and crampons are important gear but do not replace the safety trio.
What is the basic athletic ski stance for maintaining balance on varied terrain?
Leaning back with extended legs
Standing upright with feet together
Arms crossed with legs locked straight
Slightly flexed ankles, knees, and hips with weight centered
A flexed stance with weight centered over the skis allows for quick adjustments and better control. Locking legs or leaning back reduces edge engagement and stability. This athletic position is fundamental for safe skiing.
What type of slab forms when wind deposits snow into leeward slopes?
Storm slab
Surface hoar layer
Persistent slab
Wind slab
A wind slab develops when wind transports snow and deposits it as a dense layer on leeward slopes. Storm slabs form from heavy new snowfall, not wind. Persistent slabs and surface hoar layers have different formation processes.
During an avalanche incident, what is the first action after confirming someone is buried?
Switch your transceiver to search mode
Call ski patrol
Start digging immediately
Build a snow pit
Switching your transceiver to search mode is the first step to locate a buried companion quickly. Digging or calling for help comes later once you have a signal. Proper transceiver use is crucial in the initial rescue phase.
Which field test helps identify weak layers by isolating a column of snow and applying taps?
Compression test
Snowball test
Settling test
Rutschblock test
The compression test isolates a column of snow and applies taps to detect weak layers and fracture propagation. The Rutschblock is a larger-scale test, while snowball and settling tests are less systematic. Compression tests are quick and informative.
Avalanche risk is highest on slopes with angles between:
30° - 45°
20° - 30°
10° - 20°
45° - 60°
Most slab avalanches occur on slopes angled between 30° and 45°. Slopes shallower than 30° rarely slide, and slopes steeper than 45° often shed loose snow continuously. Recognizing this angle range helps mitigate risk.
Heavy snowfall over 30 cm in 24 hours primarily increases which hazard?
Surface hoar growth
Depth hoar formation
Glide avalanche
Storm slab
A storm slab forms when a large amount of new snow accumulates quickly, creating a cohesive but weak layer. Depth hoar and surface hoar are temperature-driven processes, and glide avalanches involve basal sliding over ice or ground.
Which ski turning technique helps reduce pressure on an unstable slope?
Skidded turn
Telemark turn
Jump turn
Carving turn
A skidded turn dissipates energy by breaking the ski edge in the snow, reducing load on the slope. Carving turns maintain edge grip and increase force transfer. Telemark and jump turns serve other purposes.
When traveling as a group in avalanche terrain, recommended spacing between individuals is:
30 meters
5 meters
50 meters
15 meters
Spacing of around 30 meters reduces the chance that multiple people are caught in the same slide and allows room for rescue. Too little spacing risks multiple burials, and excessively large spacing harms group cohesion.
After pinpointing a burial signal with a beacon, what tool is used next to locate the exact depth?
First aid kit
Snow saw
Avalanche probe
Shovel
An avalanche probe is used to precisely pinpoint the buried victim's depth once the beacon search area is narrowed. Shovels remove snow but are used after pinpointing. A snow saw and first aid kit have different roles.
Which crystal type indicates a deep, persistent weak layer near the ground?
Surface hoar
Depth hoar
Rime ice
Graupel
Depth hoar forms near the ground under strong temperature gradients and creates large, faceted crystals that weaken the snowpack. Graupel and rime ice involve riming processes, and surface hoar forms at the snow surface.
On steep, firm terrain, how should a skier adjust stance to maintain edge hold?
Stand upright with weight centered
Shift weight to uphill ski
Lean back and extend legs fully
Flex ankles and hips, shift weight to downhill ski
Flexing ankles and hips while shifting weight to the downhill ski increases edge engagement and balance on firm snow. Leaning back or standing upright reduces edge grip. Weight on the uphill ski can cause slipping.
Before entering backcountry terrain each day, what critical assessment should be conducted?
Snowpack stability test
Altimeter calibration
Ski binding adjustment
Avalanche beacon battery check only
Performing a snowpack stability test, such as digging pits and conducting compression tests, provides insight into current avalanche risk. Battery checks and gear setup are important but insufficient without stability data.
What is the correct sequence of actions during a companion avalanche rescue?
Shovel, beacon search, then probe
Shovel, probe, then beacon search
Search with beacon, probe, then shovel
Probe, shovel, then beacon search
After confirming burial, rescuers switch to beacon search mode to locate the signal, then use probes to pinpoint depth, and finally shovel to excavate. Probing or shoveling before beacon search wastes critical time.
A pronounced temperature gradient within the snowpack often leads to the formation of which crystal structure?
Graupel
Wind slab
Depth hoar
Surface hoar
Strong temperature gradients drive vapor from warmer to colder layers, forming large, faceted depth hoar crystals near the base. Surface hoar forms at the snow surface overnight, graupel from riming, and wind slabs from wind-deposited snow.
How does angulation contribute to carving efficient turns on firm snow?
It reduces skier's center of mass height
It flexes the ski tip only
It increases ski length automatically
It tilts skis on edge while maintaining balanced hips
Angulation allows the skier to tip the skis onto their edges with the upper body remaining balanced over the skis. This improves grip and carving precision on firm snow. It does not affect ski length or center of mass height significantly.
Solar radiation can create what specific weak layer that increases daytime avalanche risk?
Persistent slab
Wind slab
Melt-freeze crust
Storm slab
Intense solar radiation melts the snow surface during the day, which then refreezes at night to form a melt-freeze crust. This crust can act as a sliding surface for overlying snow. Storm and wind slabs form under different conditions.
In an Extended Column Test (ECT), a sudden propagation of failure across the column indicates:
High overall stability
Strong layer bonding
No weak layers present
Shear instability in the weak layer
Sudden, uniform fracture propagation in an ECT means the weak layer can propagate a crack laterally, indicating shear instability. Limited propagation or no failure suggests stronger bonding. This test is key for advanced risk assessment.
Which sequence outlines the correct order of steps in a full avalanche emergency response?
Beacon search; Probe search; Shovel; Alert companions; First aid
Beacon search; Alert companions; Probe search; Shovel; First aid
Alert companions; Probe search; Beacon search; Shovel; First aid
Alert companions and call for help; Beacon search; Probe search; Shovel out victim; Perform first aid
The correct order starts by alerting companions and calling for help, then using beacons to locate signals, probing to find depth, shoveling to uncover the victim, and finally administering first aid. Deviating from this sequence delays rescue.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify key avalanche hazard signs in terrain and snowpack
  2. Evaluate ski technique factors that impact slope stability
  3. Apply safety protocols for backcountry travel and rescue
  4. Demonstrate correct ski stance and turn mechanics
  5. Analyze weather and snowpack conditions to mitigate risks
  6. Master emergency response steps for avalanche incidents

Cheat Sheet

  1. Recognize Avalanche Terrain - Avalanches love slopes between 30 and 45 degrees, so your first mission is spotting these risky angles. Grab an inclinometer or use a smartphone app to double-check your slope readings before charging ahead. Knowing your steep from your safe can turn you from a backcountry newbie into a slope-savvy pro. REI Avalanche Basics
  2. Identify Signs of Unstable Snow - Become a snowpack detective by listening for "whumpf" sounds, watching for cracks radiating underfoot, and scanning for recent slide debris. These red flags scream "high risk" and deserve your full attention. Staying alert to these warning signs can keep you one step ahead of Mother Nature's fury. REI Avalanche Basics
  3. Understand Avalanche Triggers - Believe it or not, most avalanches are set off by skiers or snowboarders themselves. Your weight, sudden turns, or even a teammate's leap can send the snowpack cascading downhill. Recognizing how our actions can ignite slides is key to making smart, safe choices. REI Avalanche Basics
  4. Carry Essential Avalanche Safety Gear - Think of your transceiver, probe, and shovel as your avalanche superhero toolkit. Practice deploying each tool at home so you can dig out a friend in record time. With these gadgets in your pack and skills at the ready, you'll feel like a snow ninja on rescue duty. REI Avalanche Basics
  5. Master the Snowplough Turn - The snowplough turn is your secret weapon for controlling speed on steep slopes: tips together, tails apart. It's the perfect move for beginners and a great way to build confidence on challenging terrain. Nail this technique, and you'll carve turns like a champ. Snowplough Turn (Wikipedia)
  6. Analyze Weather and Snowpack Conditions - Rapid snowstorms, warming trends, and wind loading can turn a stable snowpack into a ticking time bomb. Check daily forecasts, monitor temperature swings, and inspect layers for weak spots. Being weather-wise helps you dodge the nastiest avalanche triggers. REI Avalanche Basics
  7. Apply Safety Protocols for Backcountry Travel - Before you venture out, consult avalanche forecasts, plot your escape routes, and always travel with a partner. Keep safe distances, communicate often, and stick to pre-planned checkpoints. A solid game plan is your best defense against unexpected risks. Colorado Avalanche Information Center
  8. Master Emergency Response Steps for Avalanche Incidents - If you get caught, fight to stay on top by "swimming" with an upward motion and carve out an air pocket around your face. Once it stops, deploy your transceiver and shout for help. A calm, practiced response can mean the difference between rescue and tragedy. National Geographic Avalanche Safety
  9. Evaluate Ski Technique Factors Impacting Slope Stability - Smooth, controlled turns reduce stress on the snowpack, while aggressive moves can trigger slides. Think graceful and fluid instead of stamping and stomping. Adopting gentle weight shifts helps you glide safely without surprising the mountain. Snow Magazine Beginner's Guide
  10. Demonstrate Correct Ski Stance and Turn Mechanics - A balanced stance with knees softly flexed and weight centered over your skis is your stability jackpot. Practice quick edge changes and rhythmic turns to keep your control razor-sharp. This foundation not only boosts your skills but also keeps you safer on variable terrain. Snowplough Turn (Wikipedia)
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