Cornices are formed when snow is deposited on the
lee side of a ridge by the wind. You can have a lot of fun with cornices,
popping through small fresh ones from below, or dropping off larger ones
onto a powdery landing. But never forget that they are dangerous. Even small
cornices can consist of many tonnes of snow, and the slopes below them are
frequently unstable wind slab. If you have to cross a cornice and you are
at all unsure about its ability to hold you, you should be roped up.
Skiing below a cornice is very dangerous - the chances are you are on
a wind slab waiting for the right moment to avalanche.
[Photos: ifyouski.com]
Cornices can be fun, but never underestimate their danger