• Jump on test slopes (small slopes) to see how they behave

• Kick or saw off a piece of cornice and let it bounce down the slope

• Perform a slope cut

• Probe with your ski pole as you travel

• Dig down with your hand to see how well the snow is bonded to the underlying layers

• Wait for other people to jump into the slope before you

• Dig one or more snow pits in representative locations