Those who love the outdoors are being warned to be especially cautious when heading into the backcountry in British Columbia. 

Recent warm weather, along with strong winds and rain has raised the potential for avalanches across most of the province.

Taking an avalanche safety course is the minimum someone out in the back country should have, says Lori Zacaruk, an avalanche safety instructor. 

A safety course will teach backcountry travelers what snow conditions to look out for and how to properly use avalanche safety equipment.

"It's amazing how far we've come in the last couple of years -- people are realizing there's more to it than just owning the gear," says instructor Randy Zackaruk.

"Avalanche safety is not about having one safety individual in your riding group -- it's about everyone having avalanche eyes -- it's everyone's responsibility to be looking up and around you to be gathering those puzzle pieces that are related to stability," says Lori Zacaruk.

On average, avalanches kill 12 people every year in British Columbia.  2003 was a particularly deadly year.

In January of that year seven skiers were killed by a slide on the Durrand Glacier.  Two weeks later seven students from Calgary died near Revelstoke.  And, in March, seven snowmobilers set off on a trip in the mountains near Fernie.  Only four came back.

"The one thing we are seeing is there is not enough people trained," says Zackaruk.

Many snowmobilers know they take a risk every time they head into the backcountry.

"It could be you -- not even you -- your buddy's under the snow one day -- it would be a tough thing to live with," said Mike Irmen, who take a safety course before doing some backcountry sledding.

But, with the proper training and equipment, backcountry trekkers will know what to do when disaster strikes.