Understanding Avalanches | MSC Avalanche Tips and Terms Series @NZMountainSafetyCouncil
Understanding Avalanches | MSC Avalanche Tips and Terms Series  @NZMountainSafetyCouncil
Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Avalanche Tips & Terms: From the forecast to the field
Episode 1: Understanding Avalanches
In this episode we will cover Understanding Avalanches. Learn what an avalanche is, including how they occur and the names used to describe their anatomy.

About the series:
Are you heading into New Zealand’s alpine backcountry this winter? Whether you're a skier, snowboarder, tramper, mountaineer, or alpine hunter, the Avalanche Tips and Terms video series will help you boost your Avalanche IQ and learn essential safety skills for backcountry travel in the mountains.

In this 23-episode series, you’ll learn key avalanche terms and practical tips that will help you apply the NZ Avalanche Advisory (NZAA) forecast to real decisions in the field.

Check your local NZ avalanche forecast at: avalanche.net.nz

Continue your learning with a hands-on avalanche course: avalanche.net.nz/education/completing-a-course

The NZ Avalanche Advisory is brought to you by NZ Mountain Safety Council. Learn more about the NZAA:
→ About: avalanche.net.nz/about-us/what-is-the-avalanche-advisory
→ Instagram: instagram.com/nzavalancheadvisory
→ Facebook: facebook.com/nzavalancheadvisory

NZ Mountain Safety Council thanks all the people and organisations that helped create this series:
Tūpiki Trust, Walsh & Beck, Arc’teryx AUNZ, Kevin Boekholt, Jamie Robertson, Jim Young, Will Rowntree, Sean Toms, Tai Naka, Mal Haskins, Kevin Thompson (Milford Road Alliance), and Elke Braun-Elwert (Alpine Recreation Canterbury)

Subscribe for more avalanche safety content and backcountry tips for winter and spring. Like, comment, and share to help others stay avalanche aware.

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NZ Mountain Safety Council |

Understanding Avalanches | MSC Avalanche Tips and Terms Series

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