Is It a Problem?
Heather Hordowick researches how forecasters add, transition, and remove avalanche problems from public avalanche forecasts.
Avalanche Mitigation With Drones in Alaska
Will drones be used to conduct avalanche control in the future? In January in Alaska, two state agencies—the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities and the Alaska Railroad Collaboration—collaborated to test out Drone Amplified’s new Drone Avalanche Reduction Technology. The system was used to deliver two CIL explosives that were detonated to trigger to …
ISSW 2026 Coming to Whistler
The 2026 International Snow Science Workshop is taking place in Whistler, BC.
Wicked Learning
Brad Roach reflects on a tragic avalanche and how it shaped his career in the avalanche industry.
CAA History Project Interview: Bruce Allen
Bruce Allen led the BC Ministry of Transportation’s avalanche program out of Revelstoke for about 30 years, starting with its inception in the early-80s. He was President of the CAA in 1999-00.
Testing Remote Avalanche Control Systems
A study by Montana State University looks at the effects of different Remote Avalanche Control Systems (RACS).
Avalanche News Volumes 1-12 Online
We’re happy to say that the first 12 issues of Avalanche News are now online. Avalanche News was the precursor to The Avalanche Journal and actually predates the formation of the Canadian Avalanche Association in 1981. It was compiled by Peter Schaerer and distributed by the BC Ministry of Highways. “Anybody interested in snow avalanches …
Whistler’s 2019-20 Persistent Slab Problem
In the 2019-20 winter, Whistler Mountain experienced a 1-in-10-year weak layer that persisted in-bounds for six weeks in December and January. This article looks at how the snow safety team handled this PWL and the management plan the forecasters put in place to deal with the uncertainty surrounding it.
CAA History Project Interview: Walter Schleiss
Walter Schleiss was an avalanche forecaster at Rogers Pass for 26 years and a founding member of the Canadian Avalanche Association.
CAA History Project Interview: John Hetherington
John Hetherington grew up in Ontario and began his career in the avalanche patch at St. Moritz, Switzerland, before joining the Whistler ski patrol in the late-60s. He enjoyed a lengthy career working in all aspects of the avalanche industry, including stints as a ski patroller, at Rogers Pass, as a consultant, and as a guide and owner of Whistler Heli-skiing.
John was one of the original members of the Canadian Avalanche Association in 1981. He was the President in 2004-05 and then the Treasurer during the pivotal period when the Canadian Avalanche Centre was formed (now Avalanche Canada).