Big mountain snowboarding refers to riding fresh mountain slopes in distant or remote areas that do not receive regular attention from ski-slope specialists. Regular snowboarding generally takes place on slopes that ski specialists regularly maintain and optimize for safety. Big mountain snowboarding enthusiasts prefer the risk and adventure of backcountry areas to well-maintained, groomed slopes.
General Dangers
Essentially, big mountain snowboarding poses the same kind of risks as snowboarding on groomed slopes, but at an elevated level. Risks include head or body injuries due to falling while snowboarding at high speeds, slamming into trees or rocks and being buried in an avalanche. Frostbite and other typical cold-environment dangers affect anyone who is on a mountain slope for extended periods of time. Snowboarders also risk hitting crevices, stumps, bare spots, other snowboarders and skiers.
Differences
On groomed slopes, the risk of many of these dangers is reduced because of routine maintenance and the presence of ski-safety specialists and patrols. Big mountain snowboarding takes place in distant backcountry areas and sections of mountains that ski patrols do not monitor. The risk of injury is greater due to the unpredictability of the slopes, and the lack of nearby safety workers makes timely rescue and medical treatment unlikely.
Avalanches
Avalanches present a significant danger for big mountain snowboarders. For groomed areas, ski-slope specialists monitor nearby mountain conditions for risk of avalanche. If they decide an avalanche is inevitable, they might detonate explosives to alleviate the pressure and avoid unforeseen avalanches. But in backcountry areas, avalanches can happen at any time, so big mountain snowboarders must understand that avalanches are deadly and common.
Falls
Ski-slope designers are careful to steer snowboarders clear of dangerous precipices and cliffs. Big mountain snowboarders have no idea what's coming next as they fly down the slope. The only way to avoid hurtling over a cliff is to analyze the mountain slope before attempting to ride down it. For this reason, big mountain snowboarding is too dangerous for all but the most experienced snowboarders and local backcountry experts.
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