Heavy snowfall and landslides in the Union Territory forced closure of the important Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Ramban and authorities in Kashmir have issued an avalanche warning for four districts -- Kupwara, Bandipora, Baramulla and Ganderbal.

While a medium danger avalanche warning has been issued for the higher reaches of Kupwara and Bandipora districts, a low danger avalanche warning has been issued for the higher reaches of Ganderbal and Baramulla districts, they said.

Avalanche forecasters recently raised warning flags following a pair of skier-triggered snowslides. Neither skier was injured. The Colorado Avalanche Center suggests that backcountry skiers stay clear of steeper slopes or simply wait for greater depth of solid snow.

(Photos from Colorado Avalanche Center)

A new avalanche safety initiative started in Alberta is looking to prepare backcountry explorers for the unthinkable. The founders of the Backcountry Safe are drawing from their own tragic story of surviving an avalanche in 2016.

In an avalanche accident on March 9, 2020 pro skier Nick McNutt was using a Pieps DSP avalanche beacon, which is now believed to have malfunctioned and switched off while McNutt was skiing.

“In the following days I was in disbelief that Nick’s avalanche transceiver had turned off,” ACMG guide Christina Lustenberger, who was present, wrote.

The Avalanche Center has been observing the conditions and heeds warning. Upwards of 30 inches of snow have fallen in some areas in the Wasatch Mountains.