| Terrain Classifications |
| Simple | Exposure to low angle or primarily forested terrain. Some forest openings may involve the runout zones of infrequent avalanches. Many options exists to reduce or eliminate exposure. No glacier travel. |
| Challenging | Exposure to well-defined avalache paths, starting zones or terrain traps; options exist to reduce or elimante exposure with careful route-finding. If necessary, glacier travel is straight forward but crevasse hazards may exist. |
| Complex | Exposure to muliple, overlapping avalanche paths or large expanses of steep, open terrain; multiple starting zones and terrain traps; minimal options to reduce exposure. If necessary, glacier travel is complicated with extensive crevasse bands or icefalls. |