Hazardous conditions have begun to emerge as winter sports enthusiasts hit the Idaho slopes.

In the mountains of Idaho, thousands of avalanches happen every year. According to the National Weather Service, Idaho is ranked among the top 10 states in avalanche fatalities and has been for the past 10 years, averaging three fatalities a year.

Already this season an avalanche took the life of 21-year-old Jesse Humphries in Teton County, Wyo. Humphries was traveling with a friend the Tuesday after Christmas when he triggered the avalanche, authorities said.

There are precautions one may take to protect against situations such as the one Humphries found himself in.

Practicing winter sports in commercial ski resorts is one tactic. Such areas use a collection of controls to prevent avalanches or to trigger them under safe circumstances.

However, for all those who prefer to ski, snowboard, snowshoe and snowmobile outside of commercial boundaries, there are a series of rules provided by the National Weather Service to take into consideration.

First, never travel alone. When using a buddy system, a skier is more likely to be found and possibly rescued following an avalanche.

Secondly, cross precarious slopes one person at a time. Given the right conditions it only takes a minimal amount of force to start an avalanche. This force is often referred to as a trigger. By minimizing the amount of force put on a precarious slope, the chance of triggering an avalanche lessens. Also, should an avalanche begin, other group members might be able to keep out of its way.

Thirdly, always carry an avalanche beacon. This device helps searchers find a buried person by sending a radio signal to the beacons worn by searchers allowing them to locate the general area that person is buried.

Finally, keep track of avalanche conditions through avalanche centers such as the Forest Service National Avalanche Center. Avalanche conditions are monitored very carefully by these centers and each of them posts current advisories online, such as the forest service’s Web site www.fsavalanche.org.

Most avalanche centers also provide classes established for those who may find themselves in the way of an avalanche.

Last week was National Avalanche Awareness week. One common theme arose during the avalanche awareness activities: Know before you go.

“Sometimes people think that having all the latest gear will protect you,” said Elizabeth Lewis, a recent graduate of BYU-Idaho in Recreational Leadership and a graduate of an avalanche safety class. “Nothing replaces knowledge and experience. Unless you have actually practiced avalanche safety with someone who is avalanche certified and knows what they’re doing, you really shouldn’t be out there.”