Avalanche Awareness: What Every Skier Should Understand — with Ethan Greene of CAIC

Avalanches aren’t just a backcountry issue — they’re a ski culture issue.In this episode of Fresh Corduroy, host Craig Zolan sits down with Ethan Greene, Director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, for a grounded, deeply informative conversation about how avalanches actually happen and why decision-making matters as much as snow science.Ethan explains how avalanche risk develops, why experienced people still make critical mistakes, and how familiarity with terrain can quietly increase risk. The conversation explores human behavior, changing winter conditions, and what recreational skiers — even those who primarily ski in-bounds — should understand about snowpack, weather, and terrain.This episode is not about fear or sensational stories. It’s about awareness, education, and developing better judgment in the mountains.Topics include:How avalanches form and what triggers themWhy experience doesn’t always equal safetyThe role of human factors in avalanche accidentsWhat resort skiers should understand about snow scienceHow avalanche education has evolved — and where gaps remainWhether you ski lift-served terrain, venture beyond resort boundaries, or simply want a deeper understanding of winter mountain conditions, this is a conversation worth hearing.