Avalanches occur even in the Swedish mountains. Marked trails are drawn to avoid passing avalanche risk areas. If you do a tour outside of the trails, on an alpine tour or where the terrain is slightly steeper, you should be extra vigilant.

Here are some facts and advice to help you avoid avalanche risk areas:

 * Lee-sides are always more dangerous than wind exposed mountainsides. The lee-side collects snow and hanging snowdrifts can form where a slope falls away after a ridge. Such a hanging drift is a risk in itself if it loosens, but can also set off an avalanche through its own weight. Never go under or on a snowdrift.

* The greatest risk for avalanches is on slopes that accumulate snow (lee-side) and has an inclination of 25 degrees or more.

* The avalanche risk increases due to quick temperature changes, heavy snowfalls and severe winds. Layers then build in the snow, of which a layer risks becoming a sliding layer, which the snow layer lying above can slide away on.

 * Do not walk up and never ski in the middle of a large snowfield without following mountain ridges, stony terrain and ridges.