Red Lighting and Green Lighting Terrain in the Backcountry
In the world of backcountry skiing and riding, we use a lot of tools to keep decision-making clear and effective in avalanche terrain. One of the simplest and most powerful frameworks we can use is red lighting and green lighting terrain. It’s straightforward, easy to communicate, and helps everyone on a tour stay on the same page.
What Red Lighting Means
Red lighting a slope means we’ve made a deliberate decision that it’s off-limits for the day. Once it’s red-lighted, it’s not something we debate later—it’s a no-go.
There are plenty of reasons a slope might land in the red-light column:
Avalanche hazard mismatch. If the forecast is pointing to persistent slabs on shaded aspects, steep north-facing bowls above treeline might get an automatic red light.
Unmanageable consequences. Even if the likelihood of a slide is low, terrain traps like gullies, cliffs, or dense timber can turn a small avalanche into something un-survivable.
Obvious signs of instability. Reports of shooting cracks, collapsing, or avalanches in the area are all indicators that certain terrain should be avoided.
Group and conditions mismatch. Sometimes the terrain itself is fine, but it doesn’t match the group’s skills, energy level, or remaining daylight. That’s enough for us to red-light it.
Red lighting is all about making proactive calls. We decide before temptation is in front of us, so we’re not battling powder fever or group pressure on the skin track.
What Green Lighting Means
Green lighting is the other side of the system. These are the slopes and zones we actively decide are appropriate for the day. It doesn’t mean they’re risk-free, but it does mean the level of risk is personally manageable given the hazard, the terrain, and the team.
Here’s what we look for when we green-light terrain:
Hazard alignment. The slope’s angle, aspect, and elevation don’t line up with the avalanche problems highlighted in the forecast.
No red flags. Reports of stable snowpack test results, no signs of recent avalanches, and no cracking or collapsing.
Group readiness. Everyone has the skills and energy to handle the terrain, transitions are efficient, and there’s plenty of margin to finish the day safely.
Green lighting is more than just avoiding bad terrain—it’s intentionally identifying good terrain. It gives everyone confidence in the plan and makes the day flow more smoothly.
Something to note is that we can always put previously green lit terrain into the red category if conditions change while in the field.
Why This Framework Works
The biggest challenge we see people struggle with in the backcountry is the gray zone—the “maybe” terrain. Maybe it’s fine, maybe it’s not. Those maybes are where accidents happen.
By clearly red-lighting and green-lighting terrain, we eliminate that gray zone. It simplifies decisions, strips away some of the emotional bias, and reduces the chances of getting talked into something that doesn’t fit the conditions.
It also makes communication cleaner. When we’re guiding, we want clients and partners to know exactly what’s on the table and what’s off. Red lights and green lights give us common language for that.
And importantly, it’s flexible. If conditions change mid-day—say, new wind loading or rapid warming—we can shift terrain from green to red. The system keeps us honest with ourselves as things evolve.
How to Apply It
Before the tour. Use the avalanche forecast to preemptively red-light terrain that doesn’t fit. Just as importantly, identify terrain that can be green-lighted so you have clear goals.
During travel. Keep checking observations against your red and green lists. If something doesn’t line up anymore, move it to red.
With your partners. Make these calls as a group so everyone is aligned. A shared understanding avoids confusion at decision points.
Final Thoughts
Backcountry skiing and splitboarding will always carry some level of risk. The red-light/green-light system doesn’t eliminate that, but it gives us a simple, effective framework for managing it. By committing to clear yes’s and no’s, we keep ourselves and our partners out of the gray zones where poor decisions thrive.
Mountain guides around the world use this approach because it works. It helps keep the day flowing, it builds trust within a group, and it allows us to focus on the fun part—actually skiing and riding—without second-guessing whether the terrain fits the conditions.
The more you practice red-lighting and green-lighting terrain, the more natural it becomes. And with time, you’ll find it’s one of the best habits you can bring to the backcountry.
