PLAY IT SAFE
Pack the Right Gear and Know Your Limits

There are some essential steps you can take for staying safe while recreating in Montana’s great outdoors any time of year, from general safety knowledge to avalanche safety and water safety. Please plan ahead to play it safe.  

GENERAL SAFETY

  • Stick to activities that fit your skill level. 
  • Know your physical limitations.
  • Always travel with ample water and provisions.
  • Be cognizant of the dangers of water, whether moving or still. Drowning is the No. 1 cause of death in Glacier National Park where the water is very, very cold.
  • Stay a safe distance from all wildlife; they are wild for a reason—they can be unpredictable and dangerous. Know how to recreate in bear country.
  • Have a first-aid kit in your car or backpack. 

AVALANCHE SAFETY
We’re very serious about our backcountry terrain around here. We’re also very serious about backcountry safety. The wild and rugged nature of Montana’s high country should never be an afterthought, especially when it’s covered in snow. Avalanche safety should always be top of mind when you’re headed back into the deep stuff, whether via ski, snowboard, snowshoe or snowmobile. Proper gear and know-how are everything.

Here are some recommendations for avalanche safety:

Go With a Guide
Play it safe with a backcountry ski or snowmobile tour. Your guide knows best when it comes to avalanche safety.

Stay In Bounds at Ski Resorts
When recreating at ski resorts, don’t ski or sled the backcountry on your own unless it is permitted AND you are up-to-date on the avalanche forecast, own and know how to use the right avalanche safety gear, and have adequate training.

Get Educated in Avalanche Safety
Know before you go. Take a course in avalanche safety, which will teach you the basics of avalanche safety gear, snow testing, avalanche awareness and avalanche rescue. Avalanche safety education includes courses for motorized and non-motorized snowsports. Courses in avalanche safety are offered online and in the field.

To find courses and education resources, visit:

Check Avalanche Forecasts
Always check the local avalanche forecast before you recreate in the backcountry, and understand what it means. The U.S. and Canada use a five-category avalanche danger estimation system. This North American Avalanche Danger Scale allows avalanche forecasters to communicate avalanche threat—low, moderate, considerable, high, extreme.

Visit avalanche.org for conditions and warnings. For local Western Montana avalanche conditions, advisories and information, visit Missoula Avalanche and the Flathead Avalanche Center.

Carry Avalanche Gear
Learn what gear you need for the backcountry, get the right gear, and know how to use it. This is critical. Find the beacon, shovel, probe and airbag pack that are right for you.

Avalanche beacons (or transceivers) transmit your location so others can find you or you can find them in the aftermath of an avalanche.

Avalanche shovels are essential for backcountry recreation. They can be used to dig out persons buried by snow, but they are also necessary for studying snowpack and digging emergency shelters.

Probes are also essential pieces of backcountry gear. These lightweight, folding poles help you determine how deep the snow is and, in the case of an avalanche rescue, where to begin digging.

Airbag packs feature a bladder that, when pulled, inflates to keep you closer to the surface during an avalanche.

Please note that having avalanche safety gear does not mean you should be reckless and recreate in areas where the avalanche threat is anything but low.

Know Your Snow
Avoid avalanches by learning where and why they occur. Learn to recognize the red flags of an unstable snowpack, which indicate avalanche danger. These include signs of a recent avalanche, or signs of unstable snow. Recent heavy snowfall or rain, or a rapid increase in above freezing temperatures, also creates unstable snow and increases the likelihood of avalanches. 

Among other avalanche safety gear, snow study tools and kits are essential pieces of backcountry equipment to determine the safety of the snowpack, but are not an alternative to checking the avalanche forecast before you head out, which is vital.

Engage in Backcountry Sports Responsibly
Learn more about recreating responsibly while playing in the deep stuff, including backcountry skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and camping. Read more tips about responsible backcountry snowsports from our friends at Tread Lightly!

WATER SAFETY
In additional to knowing how to swim, please wear a personal floatation device (PFD) while boating, floating and paddling. Ensure your chosen activity matches your skill level and water comfort level. Always bring the appropriate gear you need for your specific water activity. Please note that Montana waters can be cold year-round thanks to snowmelt. Don’t drink alcohol while recreating in and on the water. We highly recommend recreating with a friend or group. As always, check the weather before you head out. Note: Montana’s waters are cold year round. Drowning is the No. 1 cause of death in Glacier National Park, where the waters are frigid.  

Swimming Safety
Our rivers and lakes make the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day, but please make sure you know how to swim, and take the following precautions:

  1. Only swim in designated swimming areas.
  2. When in doubt, get out. 
  3. Know the conditions.
  4. Never swim alone.
  5. Choose the right equipment.
  6. Understand currents.
  7. Don’t mix swimming and alcohol.
  8. Wear a USCG-approved life vest.
  9. Have a plan for emergencies.
  10. Swim parallel to the shore.
  11. Learn more about these important 10 open water safety tips. 

Boating Safety
There are multiple ways to boat and float Montana’s waterways. That means many different types of recreators may be sharing a boating area. Please recreate responsibly by operating your boat at safe speeds and keeping an adequate distance from others. Give sailboats and other non-motorized craft a wide berth. Read more about boating safety here. 

River and Stream Safety
Montana is known for world-class river recreation, drawing anglers, rafters and floaters from far and wide. To ensure a memorable experience, play it safe by being prepared with the right gear, understanding river flows and currents and being prepared for water hazards. Read more about river and stream safety here.

June 10, 2021

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