You are an expert backcountry skier, yet you lack avalanche forecasting/rescue skills? Really?Thank god SOMEBODY said it. They dont have avalanches back east?? Actually, having lived, climbed, and skied the "backcountry" in VA and WV for many years before moving out here, I can see why the OP doesn't have any avy training if he's never been out here, or up in Canada, etc. As AndyZig states, the trees are so dense in what qualifies for BC back East that they form such a good slope anchor, and the snowpack never really gets to depths like we get out here, that it was never really a problem and there really was never any need for avy training.
Now, given that Andy is headed out here, I agree with DPS and others and suggest that he watch the terrain he selects for traps, note the weather forecast, travel with some buds, and have the proper gear for location and extraction of those buds should it come to the worst. That's my $0.02