\n\n

*The avalanche-prone locations are described in greater detail in the avalanche bulletin (altitude, slope aspect, type of terrain):

moderately steep terrain: slopes shallower than about 30 degrees
steep slopes: slopes steeper than about 30 degrees
very steep, extreme terrain: particularly adverse terrain related to slope angle (more than about 40 degrees), terrain profile, proximity to ridge, smoothness of underlying ground surface

**Additional loads:

low: individual skier/snowboarder, riding softly, not falling; snowshoer; group with good spacing (minimum 10m) keeping distances
high: two or more skiers/snowboarders etc. without good spacing (or without intervals); snowmachine; explosives

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The avalanche danger scale is international, but there are slight differences between the scale used in Europe and the danger scale used in North America (and some other parts of the world). In Sweden, the European version of the scale is used.

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In Europe, three key factors are evaluated to get the avalanche danger level:

Snowpack Stability: Snowpack stability answers the question, 'How easily can an avalanche be started?' Snowpack stability always varies between different places in the terrain, it is not the same everywhere.
Spatial distribution of the snowpack stability: The spatial distribution answers the question, 'How common are the spots where an avalanche can be triggered?' This is also referred to as the frequency.
Avalanche Size: This factor addresses the question, 'How large can avalanches become?' The potential size of avalanches varies with snow conditions and the scale of the slope. Larger avalanches pose a greater risk. When assessing avalanche danger, it is the largest expected avalanches in the area that are taken into consideration.

You can read more on the European avalanche danger scale on www.avalanches.org.

This is the website of European Avalanche Warning Services, EAWS.

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What is the Avalanche Danger Scale?

The avalanche danger scale is an important tool used to assess and communicate the hazard of avalanches. It rates avalanche danger and provides general travel advice.