For the last five years, TCSAR and Backcountry Zero have posted community volunteers at the various backcountry gates at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. These volunteers ask basic questions about the preparedness of those leaving the gates. They are not there to judge or offer any advice or direction. To date, that effort has resulted in the collection of hundreds of survey responses, including nearly 200 from this season alone. That data from these surveys helps establish a baseline for backcountry use and builds awareness about avalanche safety.

At midseason, nearly 30 percent of all people exiting the resort are by themselves. Slightly more are in parties of two. Most are local men above the age of 35, and 80 percent of respondents said they had checked the avalanche bulletin that day. Half of those who responded stated they were “expert” at managing the terrain.

According to the survey, there are still many people exiting the resort with no safety gear and very little formal avalanche training.

If you are exiting the resort boundary (or backcountry skiing anywhere else, for that matter), make sure you have a partner, the proper gear, and a plan. And as they say on the Big Red Box, if you don’t know, don’t go.

Thanks to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for their continued embrace of this program, and for support from Stio, Flylow, and Kate’s Real Food. Video shot, edited and produced by Orijin Media.