Rutschblock Test

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The Rutschblock Test is useful as both an indicator of local snow stability and to identify weak layers in a snow pack. Only perform this test on a safe slope greater than 300. Pick a test slope with the same aspect ,angle and elevation of the slope you propose to cross.
Note that this and other stability tests cannot be used to affirm a slope is safe to venture onto. The results from the test must be weighed with all the other factors gathered about local avalanche conditions (human factors, weather,terrain and snowpack) when deciding to venture onto avalanche terrain. Always bear in mind you can not be to cautious given the possible consequenses.

Excavate a pit as long as a pair of skiis to the ground or at least 6 feet deep . Smooth the uphill face as you would a shovel shear pit. Isolate a a trapezoidal section of snow from the smooth face back 1.5 meters. You can use snow saws, skiis, or rope to seperate the sides and back of this colum. The angled sides of the trapezoid will let the block slide down hill easily if it shears.

A skier will stand above the isolated block and carefully transfer their weight onto the block in stages. Measured weight transfer can stress the isolated colum until it fails. A failure shows how much stress the snowpack can handle and where the dangerous layers are located in the snowpack.



There are seven levels of weight loading.(The US scale uses 7 levels the Canadian scale uses the first 6 levels.)

1. The block shears as the sides and/or back are cut out.
2. The skier gently places their weight onto the uphill 1/3 of the block one ski at a time.
3. The skier quickly flexs their knees down once without jumping up first.
4. The skier hops up once with both skiis landing in the same spot.
5. Hop again in the same spot.
6. Hop several times with greater force onto the middle section of the isolated block.
7. No matter how much force is applied the isolated block does not shear .


The slope should be avoided if shear failure happens during the first 5 levels. If no failure happens this does not ensure that similar slopes are safe. No test can yield that information.
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Sources: "Avalanche Handbook" Ron Perla and M.Martinelli jr. 1976 USDA
"Avalanche Safety for Skiers & Climbers" Tony Daffern 1992 CLOUDCAP
"The Rutschblock as a practical tool..." P.M.B. Fohn 1987 IAHS Publ. 162

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