Level 1 does not mean “safe everywhere.” European warning services use the EAWS danger scale so skiers and guides share the same vocabulary. Here is what level 1 — Low — means in the bulletin.
Snowpack stability
The snowpack is well bonded and stable in general.
Likelihood of triggering
Triggering is generally possible only from high additional loads in isolated areas of very steep, extreme terrain. Only small and medium natural avalanches are possible.
What this means in practice
Triggering is generally possible only from high additional loads in isolated areas of very steep, extreme terrain. Only small and medium natural avalanches are possible.
Typical danger signs
Rarely any danger signs.
Season & fatalities (EAWS)
- Forecast for around 20% of the winter season.
- Around 5% of avalanche fatalities.
These figures come from the European Avalanche Warning Services (EAWS). Low and moderate days cover most of the season — yet considerable (level 3) accounts for about half of fatalities. High (level 4) is rare but still claims around 10% of victims.
Official source
Snowpack stability and likelihood of triggering on this page follow the official EAWS danger scale text.
EAWS avalanche danger scale →