Avalanche Risk Management
in the Field

The Avalanche Research Program at Simon Fraser University and Avalanche Canada are getting ready to conduct a detailed study on how recreationists manage avalanche risk in the backcountry.

How do you approach avalanche risk
management in the backcountry?
Do you have specific observations you
pay attention to?
How do you piece theses observations together to decide where to go?
What does it take for you to change your
trip plan?

We need to know more. A better understanding of how you manage avalanche risk when travelling in the backcountry will help us to build products and tools that better match with what you need to stay safe.

We are looking for 15-20 winter backcountry users (e.g., backcountry skiers/snowboarders, mountain snowmobilers, snowshoers, ice climbers) in Southwestern British Columbia interested in being interviewed about their avalanche risk management practices. We are interested in the perspectives from all types of backcountry recreationists ranging from new and casual users to those with more experience.

We have concluded our recruitment for the 2021/22 winter, but we will be looking for participants again next fall.

Informed Consent       Research Team Profile       Contact Information

We currently live, work, and recreate on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Líl̓wat (Lil'wat), and St̓át̓imc Tmicw (St’at’imc) Peoples. We understand this acknowledgement to be a starting place for further reflection on historical and ongoing settler colonialism and for ongoing critical self-location. In addition to this statement, we hold ourselves accountable to meaningful learning and action at home, in the office, and on the skin track.