By Ken Lukawy, National Avalanche Program Coordinator (ken.lukawy@skipatrol.ca)
Are we all ready for another winter season of adventure in the backcountry? This article will cover the following topics:
- Changes to Avalanche Canada’s avalanche forecast system.
- Is your avalanche transceiver subject to a recall?
- Ways to refresh your avalanche knowledge before the season starts.
Avalanche Canada’s public avalanche forecasting system
From Avalanche Canada:
- Our homepage map has a new search feature so you can find your riding areas quickly and easily.
- Each forecast region is coloured to reflect its highest danger rating.
- While we are covering the same area we always have, the forecast regions will be dynamic, with boundaries that change in response to conditions.
- Our forecasters will determine the regional boundaries every day. There will no longer be fixed forecast regions or region names.
This new system allows our forecasts to more accurately reflect backcountry conditions. Flexible forecast regions solve the issue of regional variability, when conditions would vary significantly across some of the larger, fixed regions of our old system. We’re excited about these changes and we’re confident they will provide a better experience for you.
For greater details regarding this upgrade, visit the “Flexible Forecast FAQ” page, or, for the more visual learners, check out the video “Introducing Flexible Forecast Regions”, available here.
Transceiver recalls
Your transceiver may be subject to a safety recall. As it is a vital safety tool, we should all ensure our transceivers are up-to-date.
Check the manufacturer’s website to confirm your transceiver’s status. If the model of your transceiver is covered by a recall, follow the manufacturer’s procedures to get it updated.
Ways to refresh your avalanche knowledge
The simplest method to refresh your avalanche knowledge is to review Avalanche Canada’s online avalanche tutorial Avy Savvy. It is available in either English or French.
Have you taken an AST 1 course several years ago and now want a skills upgrade that you get from reviewing Avy Savvy? Consider taking an AST 1 refresher course.
The AST 1 refresher course has been added to Avalanche Canada’s suite of courses. This course is aimed at students who have completed an AST 1 in the past and are looking to refresh and update their skills and knowledge. This is a one-day field-based course with pre-reading activities. Contact AST course providers in your region to see if they offer this course.
Are you new to patrolling and wondering what avalanche skills or knowledge is required for your patrol day? The new CSP On-Patrol Manual has a chapter that covers this very topic. As we all are seen as credible sources of information, there is a minimum amount of information that any patroller needs to be comfortable with. This chapter covers the roles and responsibilities of a CSP patroller within the ski centre’s “snow safety” mandate.