Safety, Avalanche & Legal Disclaimer

Please read these terms and outdoor safety advisories carefully before relying on data from SnowBase.

Critical Outdoor Safety Warning

Winter backcountry travel, snowmobiling, ski touring, and mountaineering carry inherent risks of severe injury, hypothermia, avalanche burial, and death. Data provided on SnowBase is for informational and trip-planning purposes only.

1. Not an Avalanche Authority

SnowBase does NOT provide avalanche ratings, snowpack stability forecasts, or backcountry safety clearance. Condition ratings on this site evaluate snow depth, base structure, and weather factors only. A location with a 10/10 SnowBase score may have extreme or critical avalanche danger.

Before entering avalanche terrain, you must consult your local regional avalanche forecast center (e.g. CAIC, UAC, NWAC, BTAC, or avalanche.org), carry essential rescue gear (beacon, probe, shovel), and have appropriate formal avalanche rescue training.

2. Data Provided "As-Is"

All meteorological and snowpack data is sourced from automated telemetry sensors (USDA NRCS, NOAA) and numerical weather models (Open-Meteo). Automated sensors can fail, freeze, or produce anomalous readings during severe storms. SnowBase makes no warranties regarding the absolute accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of data.

3. Trail Status & Land Access

SnowBase does not verify active trail closures, ice thickness on lakes/rivers, logging road plowing, or private property boundaries. Always confirm official trail openings with state DNR agencies and local snowmobile/Nordic clubs.