1.Take a partner. Things are all good, till they’re not. If no one knows you’re lost or injured they won’t know to come help you.

2. Cell phone? Don’t count on it. While two-way communicators, personal locators and GPS units do work in certain situations, don’t rely on gizmos exclusively. With that in mind, it’s never a bad idea to pack a map.

3. Have a plan on what to ski, so everybody in your group is on the same page. In case you get split up, you know where to rendezvous.

4. Know where you’re going: Getting lost not only puts you but also the people who might have to come look for you if you get into trouble at risk.

5. Always carry avalanche gear and know how to use it. Practice with your beacon before you go, and know how to expedite digging and probing.

6. Don’t be greedy. Powder frenzy is not cool. By all means, move with purpose, but enjoy the mountains too.

7. You’re on your own. Take responsibility for yourself and practice backcountry self-rescue skills.

8. Bring a girl. Stats support that if a girl is in your group you’re much less likely to get into trouble with avalanches.

9. Have a fundamental understanding of weather, terrain, and snowpack dynamics of the region you’re touring in.

10. Pick your days. If there’s really good skiing inbounds, stay inbounds. Don’t leave powder to find powder.

11. Just because you see tracks doesn’t mean it’s safe. Deep slab instability often doesn’t rear its ugly head till the third or fourth skier encounters it.