By Matt Macdonald, Previous Warning Preparedness Meteorologist with the Meteorological Service of Canada, now Lead Fire WeatherForecaster with BC Wild re Service,and Paul Harwood, District Avalanche Supervisor for the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s North Cascades Program This article was originally published in The Avalanche Journal, Vol. 126, Spring 2021 SOME OF THE BIGGEST SNOWFALLS […]
By Mike Koppang Note: This article was originally published in The Avalanche Journal, Vol. 138, Summer 2025 A GOAL OF THE FORECASTING PROGRAM in Kananaskis has been trying to find different ways to innovate our risk management communication to the public in terms of avalanche danger and terrain management. The avalanche forecast has always been
Automated ATES Risk Communication in K-Country Read More »
By Uwe Gramann This article originally appeared in The Avalanche Journal, Vol. 125, Winter 2020-21 METEOGRAMS, THE DISPLAY OF MULTIPLE weather parameters along a time series, have recently become a very useful decision-making tool for weather-related decisions in avalanche operations. Meteograms are traditionally evaluated based on absolute numbers, but these numbers alone are unable to
Pattern Recognition in Meteograms Read More »
When Snowpack is the Question, Terrain is the Answer By John Sykes This article initially appeared in The Avalanche Journal, Volume 138, Summer 2025 AVALANCHE EDUCATION OFTEN presents terrain as a static factor that is used to manage safety margins during periods of unstable weather and snowpack conditions. While true, this characterization of terrain does
Automated ATES Mapping Read More »
An interview with Steve Scott, the operations manager and lead forecaster for Great Canadian Tours. Steve is also a manager with Revelstoke Search & Rescue, and President and Examiner of the Canadian Motorized Backcountry Guides Association.
Interview: Steve Scott on Managing a Snowmobile Guiding Operation Read More »
A look at the snowpack.avalanche.ca dashboard. What it does, how it works, how you can use it, and plans for the future.
Inside the Snowpack Model Dashboard Read More »
By Scott Thumlert This article was originally published in The Avalanche Journal, Vol. 137, Winter 2025 INTRODUCTIONAssessing, rating, and forecasting the physical hazard posed by snow avalanches is fundamental to daily work for avalanche professionals. Avalanche risk mitigation strategies (e.g. explosive control, communicating danger level and terrain advice to public, closing terrain at a resort,
CMAH 2.0: Adding Hazard Ratings to the Conceptual Model Read More »
Dynamic Avalanche Consulting was tasked to set up an avalanche control program for one of the snowiest ski resorts on earth – Lotte Arai in Japan.
Arai Magic: Establishing an Avalanche Program in Japow Read More »
Mike Boissonneault enjoyed a 37-year career in the Canadian avalanche industry, including 15 years as the head of the BC Ministry of Transportation’s avalanche program. Originally from Ottawa, Mike’s introduction to the avalanche industry was at the Granduc Mine north of Stewart, B.C., in 1979. When the mine closed in 1985, he moved nearby to
CAA History Project Interview: Mike Boissonneault Read More »
Martina Halik shares an account of an avalanche incident and the power of sharing her story with the public.
Avalanche Accounts: Sharing a Meaningful Experience Read More »
