Discuss your plan for the day, but keep your mind open to alternatives if conditions dictate. Base these decisions on the data you gather as you travel.

Conduct a group beacon test.

• Wear your beacon under your jacket on your top layer of clothing, not in a pocket or in your pack.

• Test your partners' beacons by switching your beacon to receive on the lowest setting, and walk up to each person, checking for a signal.

• Or stand in the trail with your beacon on receive, and check signals as each person skis by.

• Do a quick beacon practice - put your beacon in your glove or plastic bag and hide it in the snow bank. Have a friend find it. You will be glad they practiced if they ever have to find you.