Avalanche Warning Services in Canada

““In the last decade, snow avalanchesIn the last decade, snow avalancheshave killed more people in Canada have killed more people in Canada than either floods, earthquakes, landthan either floods, earthquakes, landslides or lightning”slides or lightning”

Dr. Bruce Jamieson, Associate Professor, Dr. Bruce Jamieson, Associate Professor, Applied Snow and Avalanche ResearchApplied Snow and Avalanche ResearchProgram, University of CalgaryProgram, University of Calgary

% Change Over 2 Decades of Avalanche Accidents by Country

Source: International Commission for Alpine Rescue (ICAR)

Differences Between Europe and Canada in Public Avalanche Safety Preparedness

High growth of recreational activities:

Cultural awareness of avalanches:

Organized public safety infrastructure:

Europe Canada

Avalanches in Canada are a coastal problem

Backcountry Skiers 59 43%

Snowmobilers 35 25%

Out of Bounds Skiers 11 8%

Other Recreation 17 12%

Non-Recreation 17 12%

Backcountry Skiers 59 43%

Snowmobilers 35 25%

Out of Bounds Skiers 11 8%

Other Recreation 17 12%

Non-Recreation 17 12%

Avalanche Accidents 1997-2007 by Activity (139)

Who is able to provide public avalanche

safety services?

• Governments

• Private industry

• Community effort (non-profit organizations and concerned members of the mountain community)

Scale comparison – Canada’s western cordillera vs. Slovakia

Canada – population density 3.7

Slovakia – population density 111

Unique Features of Canadian Avalanche Warning Services

• Information– Free, structured exchange of avalanche safety

information between stakeholders (competitors) InfoEx, OGRS and CAAML

– CAC (and others) compiles information into public warning products

• Education– Common curriculum developed and supported by the

Canadian Avalanche Centre– Third party delivery by licensed providers– Avalanche education designed to encourage good

decisions

Parks Canada Agency

North Shore Avalanche Advisory

Centre d’avalanche de la Haute-Gaspé

Alberta Parks and Protected Areas

Whistler-Blackcomb

Canadian Avalanche Centre

Canadian Avalanche Round Table

Agencies delivering public avalanche warnings in Canada

Recreational Avalanche Warning Services

Recreational Avalanche Warning Services

Whistler-Blackcomb

Association of Canadian Mountain Guides

Meteorological Service of Canada

Provincial Emergency Program BC

Parks Canada Agency Alpine Club

of Canada

Helicat Canada

North Shore Avalanche Advisory

Alberta Parks and Protected Areas

Centre d’avalanche de la Haute-Gaspé

Public Safety Canada

Canadian Avalanche Centre

CanadianAvalanche Round Table

Stakeholders in public avalanche safety in Canada

Avalanche Fatalities in Canada, 1996-97 to April 30, 2007

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

97-9

8

98-9

9

99-0

0

00-0

1

01-0

2

02-0

3

03-0

4

04-0

5

05-0

6

06-0

7

Fat

alit

ies

Backcountry skiers

Snowmobilers

Out of Bounds Skiers

Other Recreation

Non-Recreation

10 year running average

*One w inter season is defined as October 1 - September 30

Contribution of Each Activity Category to Total Fatalities 1997-2007-59 Backcountry Skiers - 42%-35 Snowmobilers - 25%-17 Other Recreation - 12%-11 Out of Bounds Skiers - 8%-17 Non-Recreation - 12%