Danger Level and Color	Avalanche Probability and Avalanche Trigger	Degree and Distribution of Avalanche Danger	Recommended Actions in the Backcountry.
LOW (Green)	Natural avalanches very unlikely. Human triggered avalanches are unlikely.	Generally stable snow. Isolated areas of instability.	Travel is generally safe. Normal caution is advised.
MODERATE (Yellow)	Natural avalanches unlikely. Human triggered avalancehs possible.	Unstable slabs possible on steep terrain.	Use caution in steeper terrain on certain aspects.
CONSIDERABLE (Orange)	Natural avalanches possible. Human triggered avalanches probable.	Ustable slabs probable on steep terrain.	Be increasingly cautious on steeper terrain.
HIGH (Red)	Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.	Unstable slabs likely on a variety of aspects and slope angles.	Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Safest travel on windward ridges of lower angle slopes without steep terrain above.
EXTREME (Red on Black)	Widespread natural and human triggered avalanches certain.	Extremely unstable slabs certain on most aspects and slope anges. Large destructive avalanches possible.	Travel in avalanche terrain should be avoided and travel confined to low-angle terrain well away from avalanche path run-outs.

Avalanches don't happen by accident and most human involvement is a matter of choice, not chance. Most avalanche accidents are caused by slab avalanches which are triggered by the victim or a member of the victim's party. However, any avalanche may cause injury or death and even small slides may be dangerous. Hence, always practice safe route finding skills, be aware of changing conditions, and carry avalanche rescue gear. Learn and apply avalanche terrain analysis and snow stability evaluation techniques to help minimize your risk. Remember that avalanche danger rating levels are only general guidelines. Distinctions between geographic areas, elevations, slope aspect and slope angle are approximate and transition zones between dangers exist. No matter what the current avalanche danger there are avalanche-safe areas in the mountains.