Choose safe routes. Recognize avalanche terrain and unsafe ice

By Christian Jensen - 18.03.2026

The Mountain Code has been part of Norwegian outdoor culture for decades. Originally created after a series of tragic mountain accidents in the 1950s and later updated by DNT and the Red Cross, the rules are designed to help everyone travel safely in the outdoors. In every season, with modern equipment, and across all types of terrain. Each rule reflects a mindset of awareness, responsibility and continuous evaluation before, during and after a trip.

The Rule

“Choose safe routes. Recognize avalanche terrain and unsafe ice.”

Key Points

• Safe route choices are the most important factor in avoiding avalanches.
• Avalanches can occur on slopes steeper than 30 degrees and higher than 5 meters.
• Even if you’re on flat ground, you can trigger avalanches above you.
• Avalanches can travel three times the height of the slope they fall from.
• Avoid terrain traps such as narrow gullies and streambeds.
• Be aware of cornice collapse on ridges.
• Understand ice safety, especially on regulated lakes and near inlets/outlets.

My Experience With This Rule

Choosing a safe route is rarely about finding the easiest line on the map. It’s about reading the landscape, understanding how conditions change, and knowing when familiar terrain has turned into something entirely different.

I’ve moved through the mountains on foot, on skis, and by bike, and most of the time the terrain feels predictable. But when the weather shifts — when wind loads a slope, when temperatures rise, or when a cold night turns the surface brittle — the safe option from yesterday may no longer be safe today. Narrow passages with steep sides, or small valleys with overhanging snow, can quickly become traps.

One type of terrain I treat with particular caution is shaded areas with old, compacted snow and running water underneath. In these places you lose all sense of depth. Meltwater can carve large, hidden tunnels several metres high. From above, the snow looks solid. You walk across it without noticing anything, until the surface suddenly gives way. I’ve never fallen through myself, but I’ve seen others do it. The drop was small — only about a metre — but you can never know that in advance.

Recognizing avalanche terrain and unsafe ice isn’t about fear. It’s about awareness. When you understand how snow behaves, how terrain shapes risk, and how quickly conditions can shift, you give yourself the freedom to move with confidence. Safe choices are what make great mountain days possible.