SOL | The Rules of Riding Out of Bounds

The Rules of Riding Out of Bounds
by Shanti Sosienski

Klassen and Zell: Extreme's Royal Reigning Family

Come on, admit it--there have been times when you've slipped under that rope at the mountain in spite of a large sign warning that the area was out of bounds. It's easy enough to do. Big, open, untracked fields of snow surrounded by cliffs, chutes, and danger become especially appetizing when they are declared off-limits.

While SOL doesn't want to sound like your mother, or promote this behavior (because of course, we have never participated in any kind of illegal activities) we would like to offer you a few thoughts before you venture off-piste into uncharted territories.

1. Take a buddy. Don't travel out of bounds alone.

2. Don't go places you don't know without someone who knows. If you are unfamiliar with the resort or have never been out of bounds at the area, be sure to go with someone who knows the terrain. A knowledgeable guide will not only be able to avoid flat spots, and point out the goods, but will also know the quickest way back to civilization if needed.

3. Be a Piep geek. Always carry an avalanche transceiver, especially after a snow storm when you know danger is high. And if you go out of bounds make sure it's set on transmit. This sound stupid, but you don't know how many people have ridden out of bounds all day and never turned their Pieps on. Be sure to think about how much juice your battery has left. No batteries, no transceiver, no point in carrying it, right?

4. Having a transceiver is not enough. Learn how to use it by practicing in the parking lot before you hit the lifts. Throw it into the snow and make your friends find it. That could be you in the snow, so you'll probably want everyone to know how to use them.

5. Know what the weather is doing. If a storm is moving in, and you're dropping into an area that the ski patrol may not be able to dig you out of until spring, don't do it. Think about it for a second. High altitude and sudden temperature drops go hand-in-hand at resorts. If the conditions are shifting you should know how they will affect the rest of your day.

6. Assess the avalanche danger of the area. When was the last time there was a slide? What are snow conditions like. There should be an avalanche hotline in the area or ask your friendly neighborhood ski patroller what the danger is on the mountain.

7. Snacks. Always carry some kind of food on you. Energy bars or candy bars, fruit leather, nuts, beef jerky. You'll be stoked to have this when you are riding the lifts later on if you don't need it sooner.

8. Dress warmly. Take that extra layer and tuck it into a pocket or tie it around your waist under your jacket, so it doesn't get wet. Sweating a little from being too hot is way better than getting hypothermia when an unexpected wind starts howling.

9. Always carry something bright. A red hat, orange vest, or yellow jacket can help people find you. Something colorful can be tied to a branch or left on the snow to alert people as to your whereabouts.

10. Bring a pocket tool and a few screws. Have you ever discovered a missing screw mid-way down the mountain? A pocket tool doesn't weigh much and can save you from a long walk out if something comes loose.