Avalanches
Shooting cracks
An avalanche danger sign: when the snow cracks open by your ski or a crack 'shoots' across the snowpack, it means a slab avalanche may be on the way.
Watch how the snow ‘behaves’ when you load it.
Cracks in the snowpack. Photo: Varsom.
If the snow cracks open by your ski, it means the uppermost layer of snow has formed a slab. If the crack ‘shoots’ across the snowpack, we often have a weak layer further down in the snowpack.
This means a high risk of slab avalanche if you move through avalanche terrain. Stop, go back the same way you came and choose a new route.
Learn more about avalanche problems and danger signs
Wind slab · Wet snow · Too much water in the snow · Rapid rise in temperature
Sources: Varsom.no — NVE’s avalanche warning service. · NVE. Skredfaretegn — skytende sprekker [Video clip]. https://youtu.be/lGbSlLQA5xg