With backcountry travel continuously on the rise, accidents involving multiple groups are becoming a growing concern. As a result, there has been a call for a way for groups to communicate with each other.

With backcountry travel continuously on the rise, accidents involving multiple groups are becoming a growing concern. As a result, more avalanche centers in the U.S. are implementing common use two-way radio channel programs to increase communication--and minimize conflicts--between groups of skiers and snowboarders in the backcountry.

Imagine this: You're about to drop into a steep backcountry chute. The chute looks clear, but before dropping in, you call on the designated radio channel for the mountain drainage you are riding in. You say, "Party of two dropping into TNT chute, is it clear?" Another group responds, "Party of three in TNT chute, we'll let you know when we’re clear." Without the designated radio channel, there would be no way to effectively communicate with the other group, leading to a potentially dangerous situation.

In mountain communities across the western United States, new common use channel radio programs encourage standardized, zone-specific radio channels to increase inter-group communication.