A simple enough question on the face of it, but on the Werner Munter’s 3×3 filter and reduction method if assessing avalanche risk, the answer is rarely 9, and if it was you’d be staying inside! As the winter approaches, now is a great time to brush up on your avalanche safety skills. Munter’s filter is a method of decision making in which the conditions, terrain and human factors are filtered repeatedly on three levels; at the planning stage, in the area, and each specific slope. There are some great online calculators for the risk, such as; http://www.wheretoski.net/MoreMenu/reduccalc/reduccalc.aspx, but for those venturing out of WiFi signal (hopefully all of you), then get proper training on one of our revamped avalanche courses. There is a choice of a one day course, or a full weekend course. Details are at; http://www.icicle-mountaineering.ltd.uk/avalancheawarenesssafetycourse.htm