Whether you're heading off to the Alps this winter for the whole season or just a few weeks here and there, if you're heading off-piste (or 'backcountry', as it's more popularly known these days) then you must be prepared.

Going off-piste is as serious as going climbing or mountaineering. Only an idiot would do it poorly equipped or with a lack of knowledge. Unfortunately many do both.

Here are a few reminders of pages on Natives that will hopefully help you be more prepared:

Features
The Holy Trinity - Transceiver, Probe and Shovel
Understanding Avalanches - Types of avalanches (Sofl Slab, Powder, Hard Slab, Wet)
Understanding Avalanches - Slope selection, tips
Snowload - the pisteur's viewpoint
The Avalanche Handbook - By David McClung and Peter Schaerer (in the Natives bookstore)

News Items
Tragically, there are so many avalanche deaths each winter that we now rarely cover them on the site. The reality is that hundreds lose their lives each year. Don't let it be you.

01/11/00 - No one is to blame but you...
30/11/00 - You The Jury - Should tour operators provide avalanche training?
24/10/00 - Educate yourself
29/03/00 - Eleven die in Kaprun
19/03/00 - Two fatalities in Aspen
29/02/00 - Colorado fatality
21/02/00 - Don't let it be you!
17/02/00 - Resort worker dies in Tignes
15/02/00 - Seven climbers die in Georgia
24/01/00 - The Avalung could save your life
30/12/99 - Over-reaction to Galtur?

Buying Equipment
Backcountry experts, Facewest, specialise in avalanche safety advice and equipment.

Owner and CdS member, Jake Herbert, explains: 'How many people spend a couple few hundred pounds before their holiday on designer sunglasses and a trendy jacket? We can sell an F1 Transceiver and Telescopic shovel for £195. It might sound like a lot, but it will last a lifetime - more important it may save your - or someone else's life.'

Best of the Best...
If you are buying, then consider our recommendations

	Ortovox M2 Avalanche Transceiver Probably the best combination of ease of use and durability. Ortovox quality		Backcountry Access Companion System A hard wearing shovel, which can also accommodate a avalanche probe.
	Ortovox Cirrus Rucksack The perfect day sack, loads of storage space and a special compartment for your safety products .		Motorola Talkabout Radios Keep in touch on the slopes. Only £135 a pair.

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