The gold standard in international avalanche education since the first edition was published in 1976, The Avalanche Handbook, now in its fourth edition, reflects modern understanding of avalanches as well as new developments in avalanche safety technology. It covers everything from the basics of snow crystals and the dynamics of avalanche formation and propagation to the most current approaches to forecasting and management. Established avalanche expert David McClung includes updated material on slab avalanche release mechanics, risk-management strategies, avalanche control methods, the effect of climate change on mountain environments, and so much more. A newly revised chapter on best practices in mountain safety is the result of a collaboration with Swiss avalanche authority Manuel Genswein. Combining scientific method with field experience and observations, The Avalanche Handbook is essential reading for people who recreate or work in the mountains. Anyone who is new to the backcountry will benefit from the detailed coverage of fundamentals and the emphasis on safely, practice, and training, while skiers and mountaineers with years of experience in avalanche terrain will learn something new from the in-depth approach to snow science and the latest in avalanche research.