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Standard measures for freeriding

16.07.2025

Standard measures, i.e. generally valid, effective and recognized recommendations for action to reduce risk, are always (!) applied – regardless of the type of group, the terrain or the current conditions. The aim is to reduce the risk of any alpine undertaking to the desired level by taking a few but relevant measures. It does not matter whether it is a quick run in the morning or a multi-day hut crossing. In both cases, the risk is identified in advance as part of proper tour planning and the appropriate measures – i.e. the final choice of tour, the appropriate equipment, etc. – are taken in response.

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This article is about:

01

Standard measures in planning

Ideally, the tour should be planned in a relaxed manner the day before/evening before. However, especially when freeriding, this planning can also be carried out on the day of the tour if you have some experience and are traveling with a known group of friends. In any case, the current conditions in the terrain must then be constantly compared with those in the planning phase and reacted to accordingly.

Ideally, a freeride day should be planned with the whole group. Everyone involved should know all the information about the planned project and start the (next) day with the same knowledge.

© snow institute
© snow institute
© snow institute
© snow institute

Avalanche situation and weather:

Studying the avalanche forecast and the weather report together is also part of the routine that needs to be done before a day on the mountain. Especially when it comes to the avalanche forecast, it is important not only to read it, but also to understand it! Avalanche conditions and weather generally help to agree on common expectations and goals. The following parameters should be taken into account and incorporated into the planning:

  • Avalanche bulletin: avalanche problems, danger spots, danger level, etc.
  • Weather: visibility, wind, temperature, precipitation, weather development

You can’t change the weather or the avalanche situation – but you can change your route and your destination!

Group:

We are only flexible with the group if we can choose who comes with us. If the group is predetermined, it is important to focus on the weakest person and not to overtax them technically, physically or mentally.

Who is going? Group size, ability, fitness, expectations, equipment

A very important aspect is the expectations of the individual group participants. Is it about skiing a “big line” or simply spending a leisurely day in the snow? Can you manage to communicate within the group – despite different mindsets – in such a way that everyone is satisfied at the end of the day? Only with such a clearly formulated goal in advance will everyone know what to expect and good decisions can be made later in the terrain.

Terrain/route:

The destination offers the greatest flexibility, as it can be ideally adapted to the current conditions and the group participants. If backcountry tours are planned or new freeride variants are being considered, there is no getting around detailed route planning and a schedule. The choice of route must be carefully considered in terms of length, steepness, difficulty, danger spots, etc.

There are now a number of tools for route planning in the terrain. Very good digital planning portals are, for example, the maps from Alpenvereinaktiv, Fatmap, Whiterisk (CH) and Komoot. Numerous layers (slope gradient, avalanche terrain, exposure, satellite images, etc.) enable well thought-out preparation with these tools. In combination with the smartphone, which also provides good orientation services in the terrain, working with electronic maps has now become the standard and is superior to paper maps.

The ATES classification (avalanche terrain exposure scale) helps us with the general assessment of the terrain in order to estimate the hazard potential based on the terrain, regardless of the current conditions.

Equipment:

A discussion about the necessary equipment is also part of the planning. The standard emergency equipment (cell phone, first aid kit, bivouac sack, headlamp, repair kit) is included, as is the standard avalanche emergency equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe), supplemented by personal protective equipment (helmet, protectors, airbag …) and any special additional equipment required for the tour (climbing skins, harness, rope, crampons …). The necessary equipment must be communicated to all group members. If necessary, it is agreed/divided who takes what with them (rope, satellite messenger, radio …).

If a group member does not have all the necessary equipment or is unable to use it, the missing equipment must be organized, the person in question cannot come along or a tour to another destination is planned.

Depending on the planned project, the weather/avalanche situation, the knowledge of the area and the group, this planning takes more or less time – in any case, all parameters can be queried within approx. 15 minutes.

02

Standard Measures in the Terrain

Compared to the standard measures in planning, the standard measures in the terrain carry even more weight, as they directly influence our behavior and its consequences. They begin at the starting point, usually at the valley station or the hut.

© snow institute
© snow institute
© snow institute
© snow institute

Equipment check:

Depending on the group and experience, the necessary equipment is discussed in more or less detail/on your own responsibility. If it is surprisingly cold or windy, it is worth checking whether each group member has packed enough warm clothing.

You should also make sure that you have the standard emergency equipment with you and that everyone has packed the necessary additional equipment (crampons, skins, etc.). For example, if someone has forgotten their cell phone, this won’t be a major mishap, but everyone in the group should know about it so that they can act accordingly in an emergency situation. Every group member must have the standard avalanche emergency equipment – avalanche transceiver, probe, shovel – with each group member’s avalanche transceiver always being checked for SEND and SEARCH before setting off.

LVS check:

The avalanche transceiver check is standard and is carried out at the start of the day. A large avalanche transceiver test, i.e. the transmission and reception check of each device, is standard.

Important: The check should not be carried out on the mountain, otherwise you will not be able to react to flat batteries or defects without losing a lot of time.

Another check after the lunch break has already uncovered many a switched-off avalanche transceiver. Ideally, the avalanche transceiver check is carried out in group mode and with sufficient distance (at least 2 meters) between the participants in a group. At the end, it must be clear that everyone is wearing a transmitting avalanche transceiver.

© snow institute
© snow institute
© snow institute
© snow institute
© snow institute
© snow institute

Distance:

When descending, distances of around 30 m are maintained as standard, even in easy terrain or on forest paths. It is better – regardless of the steepness of the terrain – to ride individually from one safe meeting point to the next whenever possible. This way you can keep an eye on the group, everyone can ride at their own pace and you can take good photos etc. From a slope gradient of approx. 35 degrees, each slope is ridden individually.

If you are climbing with the skins, keep a distance of approx. 10 m from each other from approx. 30 degrees (hairpin bend terrain). These distances must also be maintained on steep terrain when ascending on foot.

Exposed or fall-endangered terrain (e.g. gullies, known avalanche line) is traversed/skied individually on the ascent and descent.

Collecting points:

Identifying good collection points is much more difficult than maintaining distances. However, it is also one of the important standard measures.

A good collection point fulfills four tasks:

  1. The pitch is avalanche-proof. It is therefore far enough away from the direct slope above the group and also from neighboring slopes.
  2. There is no danger of falling.
  3. The rest of the descent and the last meeting point are clearly visible – so you can react to falls or other problems in the group.
  4. The rest of the route is visible. This means that the next slope can be assessed from the assembly point and appropriate measures can be taken.

It often happens that the terrain does not allow for optimal assembly points. Good communication is then all the more important. The use of radio equipment (PMR) can be very helpful, especially in the variant area. Another option is to place a “conductor” halfway down the slope who leads the rest of the group individually or at a large distance from one good meeting point to the next using pole signals.

In line skiing and buddy system:

In poor visibility or difficult snow conditions, as well as when riding in wooded areas, keeping your distance is often counterproductive. It is advisable to either ride directly in the lane of the person in front or – even better – to set up a buddy system. Buddies stay together, look out for each other and are quickly on hand in an emergency.

Buddies are ideal for a committed group whose members can also ski longer slopes without breaks and can judge the best line for themselves. Everyone should ski as fast and in the corridor as they want and where they want – but not alone, but together with their buddy. The buddies look at each other, know where the other is and whether everything is okay. In this way, a cumbersome group of eight becomes four slim buddy teams who, for example, agree on the lift to ride down a certain corridor to the valley station and meet up again there, one after the other.

Debriefing:

You can only gain experience if you make mistakes from which you can learn. This is not possible without an open feedback session. If you’ve been lucky, something has gone wrong, you didn’t feel good or a group member has unanswered questions, it’s good form to discuss them after the run or at the end of the day. A short, clear and open feedback session is the key to quickly developing into a good and competent freerider.

Cover picture: © snow institute | LOLA

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