The 2026 Canadian Avalanche Association Spring Conference took place in Penticton, B.C., from May 5-7. The event featured the CAA annual general meeting, 2.5 days of presentations, two evening socials, Link Up & Learn networking event, and much more. Here is a selection of photos from the three days by our editor, Alex Cooper.
From left: Wren McElroy, CAA President, Iain Stewart-Paterson, and Robin Siggers enjoy a chat Tuesday morning before the conference begins.Name tags ready for collection.Tyson Rettie, a forecast with Avalanche Canada and ITP instructor, chats with ITP Manager Maris Fraser.Nata de Leeuw and Chris Dyck catch-up.From left: RR Andrew Nelson, Jason Smith, and Jesse Percival find their name tags.The CAA Board of Directors, from left: Brad White, Richard Haywood, Tyler Caron, Kerry MacDonald, and Wren McElroy, with Executive Director Joe Obad.Wynona Paul delivers a welcome from the Penticton Indian Band.Steve Scott (right) receives the CAA Service Award from Wren McElroy and Jason Smith. Scott was awarded for his work founding the Canadian Motorized Backcountry Guides Association.Lisa Paulson (centre) receives the CAA Service Award from Wren McElroy and Kristin Anthony-Malone. Paulson was recognized for long career with Parks Canada and teaching for the Industry Training Program.Greg Paltinger (second from right) receives the CAA Service Award from Neville Bugden (left), Wren McElroy, and Chad Hemphill.Greg Johnson, backed by former students of Bruce Jamieson, presents Dr. Jamieson with his Honorary Membership.Dr. Bruce Jamieson with his former graduate students, from left: Simon Horton, Greg Johnson, Cam Campbell, Mike Conlan, Ryan Buhler, and Scott Thumlert.Dr. Bruce Jamieson accepts his Honoray Membership at the CAA AGM.CAA Service Award winners, from left: Steve Scott, Lisa Paulson, and Greg PaltingerWren McElroy delivers her President’s address. Executive Director Joe Obad.Membership Committee Chair Richard Haywood.CAA Professional Practices Specialist Brendan Martland.ITP Manager Maris Fraser.InfoEx Manager Stuart SmithTreasurer Tyler Carson.Chris Argue was recognized for his work chairing the Explosives Committee.The new CAA Board of Directors, from left: Erin Taylor, Wren McElroy, Tyler Carson, Richard Haywood, and Brad White. Missing are Mark Vesely, Jerry Isaak, Michelle Synnott, and John Heshka.Drone Amplified talks about their MONTIS system.Douglas Noblet presents on a new bomb tram system at Whitewater Resort.Scott Thumlert talks about preliminary findings from a review of avalanche detection and remote avalanche control systems across North America.Martin Perfler from Simon Fraser University explains his research into using snowpack models to assess avalanche problems. Laura McGuire’s presentation was on a systemic method to investigate accidents.Mark Herbison looked at the response to a major atmospheric river event in Rogers Pass.Michael Vogt from nivia answers questions on their new GPS-equipped avalanche transceivers.Scenes from the PM Meeting social at the Local Public Eatery.Scenes from the PM Meeting social at the Local Public Eatery.Scenes from the PM Meeting social at the Local Public Eatery.Scenes from the PM Meeting social at the Local Public Eatery.Scenes from the PM Meeting social at the Local Public Eatery.Scenes from the PM Meeting social at the Local Public Eatery.Scenes from the PM Meeting social at the Local Public Eatery.Scenes from the PM Meeting social at the Local Public Eatery.Scenes from the PM Meeting social at the Local Public Eatery.Scenes from the PM Meeting social at the Local Public Eatery.Brian Webster discusses the response to an atmospheric river that impacted Banff National Park.Tim Haggerty (left) and Darren Saul answer questions following a presentation about near-misses at Whistler.Braeden Schmidt from Austin Powder Avalanche (formerly CIL Avalanche) presents a $22,137 donation to the CAA. Accepting are Wren McElroy and Joe Obad.Jan Neuspiel talks about the newly created Canadian Mountain Professional Critical Incident Stress Management Society.The ISSW 2026 Committee promotes the upcoming conference in Whistler.Jacopo Borsotti discusses his research into snowpack models at SFU.Amy Pawliuk, a registered nutritional therapist, talks about the role of metabolic health in your well-being.Oscar White from Backcountry Learning looks at the importance of learning through questioning.Pascal Haegeli, the head of the SFU Avalanche Research Program, gives his final Spring Conference talk before leaving to lead the SLF.Pascal receives a round of applause for his work in the Canadian avalanche industry.Pascal on stage, packed by CAA Executive Director Joe Obad and his former student Simon Horton.Pascal with his former and current SFU students.Pascal with his former and current SFU students.Pascal shares a laugh during a group photo.The CAA celebrates Pascal.Pascal with his SFU students and collaborators.The Link Up & Learn mentoring session.The Link Up & Learn mentoring session.The Link Up & Learn mentoring session.The Link Up & Learn mentoring session.Matt MacDonald and Wren McElroy present on an atmospheric river event that struck the North Cascades in December 2025.Eva Latosuo presents on her PhD research into uncertainty in avalanche forecasting.Jeremy Vandekerhove discusses the work of the Air Rescue One Heli Winch Society.Zoe Cohen from Simon Fraser University presents on some preliminary findings from research into Avalanche Canada’s new fatality database.Dr. David McClung’s presentation looked at ways to predict the expected size of a dry slab avalanche based on simple measurements.Gilles Valade, CEO of Avalanche Canada, presents Joe Obad of the CAA with the Gordon Ritchie Service Award for the InfoEx.Ryan Buhler delivers Avalanche Canada’s annual presentation on this winter’s fatalities.Morgan Dinsdale pays tribute to Judson Wright during her presentation on State of the Snowpack.People involved with State of the Snowpack stand up during Morgan’s presentation.John Sykes provides an update on AutoATES.Ben Jackman, Johnny Duncan, and Maris Fraser hand out draw prizes.Omar Hussein from AVSS talks about their drone avalanche control system.Robin Siggers asks a question about drone avalanche control.Roger Atkins presents on his research into the slope angles of accidentally triggered persistent slab avalanches.Andrea Bruckmeier shares her research into stability change after weak layer collapse.
