Our Executive Director Gilles Valade was recently in Vancouver to present the Gordon Ritchie Service Award to MEC for their decades-long support for public avalanche safety. Since 2009, the award has acknowledged individuals or organizations who show exceptional commitment to public avalanche safety. In its 15-year history, MEC is only the second organization to win this award. 

Later this fall, Avalanche Canada celebrates twenty years of service in public avalanche safety, and MEC has shown loyal, unwavering dedication since the very beginning. MEC's mission in the outdoors has always gone beyond supplying gear for getting people outside. They're also dedicated to providing programs and initiatives that teach crucial outdoor skills and safety training in the backcountry. As the presenting sponsor of Avalanche Canada’s Avalanche Skill Training (AST) program, MEC provides funding to keep the curriculum updated with the latest in avalanche research, tools and techniques and helps more than 10,000 students per year learn critical avalanche safety skills.

As well as supporting AST training, MEC also hosts avalanche awareness outreach events in their stores. They also provide valuable gear for our staff and for outreach and fundraising initiatives. 

MEC also funds Avalanche Canada's MEC Avalanche Safety Grant every year for nonprofit organizations that serve racialized communities and help to support more people gaining access to winter backcountry safety training. We’re grateful to partner with MEC to reduce some barriers in accessing winter backcountry pursuits and enable even more Canadians to safely pursue outdoor adventures. 

MEC is also a proud supporter of our online avalanche safety tutorial AvySavvy. MEC is an enthusiastic collaborator bringing great ideas to the table and our partnership has saved lives. Over the last two decades, MEC has had a significant impact on the safety of Canadians travelling in avalanche terrain and we are honoured to call MEC a partner in our mission of improving public avalanche safety in Canada. We’re excited to see what we can achieve together in the years to come!

Avalanche Canada honoured MEC with the 2024 Gordon Ritchie Service Award for exceptional commitment to public avalanche safety

MEC Receives 2024 Gordon Ritchie Service Award

For the past several years, the Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) has provided a daily Mountain Weather Forecast on our website all year round. The Mountain Weather Forecast is a real asset to site visitors, who use it to make informed decisions about how and where to recreate in the backcountry. 

Starting May 1, the Mountain Weather Forecast will look different as the MSC shifts its focus to a dedicated weather product for the emergency planning and management community, rather than a daily weather forecast for mountain recreation. The written blog content will continue for BC until May 21, and then take a hiatus until the fall. This means that there will not be a daily Mountain Weather Forecast on our website this summer, but the model graphics, current condition loops, and meteograms will remain live through the off-season to support decision making in the mountains. The Mountain Weather Forecast will come back as usual before the start of avalanche forecasting season.

We appreciate MSC and the weather products they provide to both our users and our avalanche forecasters. We look forward to the return of the Mountain Weather Forecast in November 2024.

This summer, the Mountain Weather Forecast will look different as the Meteorological Service of Canada focuses on the emergency planning community. 

Summer changes to the Mountain Weather Forecast

This April, Avalanche Canada field technician Drew Nylen visited the town of Hopedale, NL to deliver avalanche awareness and training. The community contacted Avalanche Canada to ask for support in increasing public avalanche awareness for people in Hopedale and they wrote a successful grant to make the initiative happen. We were thrilled to visit.  

Located in Nunatsiuvut, the north of Labrador, Hopedale is bordered by avalanche terrain and experiences avalanches near and within their townsite. Many of the town's residents interact with avalanche terrain as they work and recreate in the area, including youth.

Drew met with the town council, search and rescue, firefighters, the RCMP, and held a general meeting for anyone interested in attending. Drew also presented to high school students and got them outside for hands-on avalanche safety equipment training with transceivers, shovels, and probes. Part of the grant was the delivery of two avalanche tool boxes, each with eight sets of avalanche safety equipment.

Elected Hopedale official Marjorie Flowers championed for this project and we’re grateful for her enthusiasm and support. She planted the initial seed with the federal government grant and hosted Drew throughout his stay in Hopedale. “We absolutely enjoyed having Drew here with us! He is an awesome presenter and all groups he met with were educated well by his knowledge and keen interest in avalanches. He certainly sparked an interest in some residents to train more on this topic and what to do should an avalanche occur in our community. We are very interested in further training in avalanche education.”

We hope to continue this collaboration in avalanche awareness and training with Hopedale, and other northern communities who live in or near avalanche terrain.

Avalanche Canada field technician Drew Nylen recently visited Hopedale, NL for avalanche awareness and training

Avalanche Awareness Outreach in Hopedale

We’ve made some exciting improvements to the forecast layout. These changes aim to streamline information and enhance accessibility by consolidating how information is presented and adding images to the forecast.

Users can now simply scroll to read all sections of the forecast, including the avalanche, snowpack, and weather summaries without having to navigate multiple tabs. By combining all the information into one scrollable format, we hope to see an increase in the number of people who read all the available information, particularly among our less experienced users.

In addition to streamlining the layout, photos are now included in the forecasts when relevant. We know that visual information can be helpful, and this addition will help enhance the experience of using the forecast for many. The inclusion of photos allows forecasters to highlight avalanche problems, terrain and travel advice, and weather information in a clear, concise, and easy-to-understand way.  

Watch the video here to learn more about the updated forecast layout. 

New forecast layout streamlines information and features photos

Improvements to the Avalanche Forecast Layout

Avalanche Canada’s School Program received an early gift this holiday season, thanks to a significant donation from Coastal GasLink. TC Energy’s pipeline project has generously given 50 sets of avalanche safety gear along with 50 winter backpacks to Avalanche Canada.

 Each set of gear comprises an avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel. This equipment had been allocated to workers exposed to avalanche terrain during construction of the Coastal GasLink project. It is now decommissioned but still in perfect working order—and perfectly suited for the school program. 

 “Coastal GasLink is thankful that this life-saving equipment can be used beyond our project’s needs,” says Tanner Moulton, Coastal GasLink Public Affairs Advisor. “This equipment was used by our workforce to keep them safe during construction in incredibly challenging terrain and now Avalanche Canada can utilize this same equipment to provide important life-saving education to youth in Western Canada. Partnerships like these are extraordinary and we look forward to the education and benefits that these will provide for years to come.”  

 Avalanche Canada’s School Program delivers free in-class presentations to grades K to 12 students in Alberta, BC, and the Yukon. These in-person presentations are complemented by a toolbox program.  Each toolbox contains 15 – 20 sets of avalanche safety gear, along with guidance for instructors to lead demonstrations on their use. 

 Toolboxes are shipped to youth groups and classrooms throughout the school year, increasing the reach of avalanche safety education. Each box allows valuable hands-on experience, introducing students to the function of each tool and enforcing the idea that this equipment is essential for winter backcountry travel.

 “The toolboxes have been a great success since they were first implemented in 2010, and each season they are fully booked throughout the winter months,” explains Shannon Werner, Avalanche Canada’s Youth Education Coordinator. “This generous gift allows us to double the number of toolboxes we have available for classrooms and youth groups, and I know they will be greatly appreciated for many years.”

 Thanks again to Coastal GasLink for this generous gift to Avalanche Canada’s School Program.

 Avalanche Canada's Northwest Field Team with the generous donation of 50 sets of transceivers, probes, shovels, and backpacks. From left: Emily Jones, Lucas Holtzman, Martina Halik.

Coastal GasLink Donates to School Program

School Program Receives Generous Donation of Safety Gear

Avalanche Canada is proud to be working with Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing on two new initiatives to help support youth accessing the backcountry safely. 

As backcountry use increases, so does the number of young people exploring the mountains outside of managed riding areas. We know that young people often face financial barriers to entry in getting the gear and training they need to make safe choices when they recreate. In a bid to reduce these barriers, Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing have generously donated funds and resources to facilitate a free youth AST 1 course in Revelstoke, and a youth grant open to people under 30 across Canada. 

The AST 1 course has 10 places. Five places were allocated during our successful Staying Alive avalanche safety event. The remaining five will be filled by students of Revelstoke Secondary School. The course will be held at Revelstoke Mountain Resort and taught by Selkirk Tangiers’ own guides. 

The youth grant will provide four young people with a transceiver, probe, and shovel, and an AST 1 course with an Avalanche Canada Training provider of their choice. This will be open for applicants until December 3.  

These initiatives are only made possible by the generous support of Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing and will make a significant impact on the young people who receive them. Working together, we’ll help young people make safer choices in the backcountry. 

Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing Help Youth Access Avalanche Skills Training. 

Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing Youth Initiatives

Avalanche Canada’s Sled Mentorship Program is back for the upcoming winter, providing a unique opportunity to snowmobilers aspiring to pursue a career in the avalanche industry. Through the mentorship program, two recreational riders will gain practical experience in hazard analysis, field observations, risk communication, trip planning, and much more from the working professionals on one of Avalanche Canada’s field teams.  

 The Sled Mentorship Program was initially launched in 2020 in the South Rockies. Our field team members there recognized the lack of mentorship options for sledders and created this initiative. In addition to helping to nurture future avalanche professionals, the program allows Avalanche Canada to build strong relationships within the local snowmobiling community. 

 Mentorship is a vital component in avalanche education but there are few avalanche safety operations that involve snowmobile use. Avalanche Canada has six field teams throughout Western Canada, all of which use sleds extensively. The Sled Mentorship Program is available to riders who live in or near the communities where our teams are based:

North Rockies field team in Prince George, BC

Vancouver Island field team in Campbell River, BC

 The two successful applicants will be allowed to shadow our avalanche professionals as they plan and debrief their field days. In addition, these lucky riders will participate in at least one field day each month throughout the winter season. In return, they are encouraged to contribute their observations to the Mountain Information Network and share their experiences via their social media platforms.

 Click here to apply to the Avalanche Canada Sled Mentorship Program. 

Mentorship available for sledders interested in professional path

Sled Mentorship Program 2024

Avalanche Canada is pleased to announce the recipients of the MEC Avalanche Safety Grant, which provides an Avalanche Canada Training course to four organizations serving IBPOC (Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour) communities.

“Avalanche Canada recognizes that some groups face disproportionate barriers in accessing winter backcountry pursuits,” explains Gilles Valade, Executive Director of Avalanche Canada. “We are very impressed with the work being done by these four organizations and are grateful to partner with MEC to provide them with a course from the Avalanche Canada Training program.”

The Howl Experience
Bow Valley, Alberta
With a mission to create transformative programs for youth, Howl focuses on having at least 50% of their participants in all their programs coming from IBPoC and other racialized or marginalized communities. Howl provides highly subsidized programs to ensure barrier-free opportunities for youth.  


Indigenous Women Outdoors
Pemberton, BC
IWO is an all-Indigenous organization dedicated to the empowerment and well-being of Indigenous women through our connection to land and water. The organization’s goal is to ignite a spirit of empowerment, resilience, and connection among Indigenous women by providing them with the opportunity to explore and excel in outdoor sport activities. 


Incluskivity
Squamish, BC
The mission of Incluskivity is to bridge the backcountry. The group aims to create an inclusive and psychologically safe space for IBPoC women and gender-diverse folks to recreate in the backcountry. “We focus on this community because we understand that a large barrier to accessing snow sport spaces is the lack of people who look like you.” 


 K8 Mountaineering 
Calgary, Alberta
K8 Mountaineering Club of Alberta is the home of Filipino mountaineers and alpinists in Canada, whether freshly from the Philippines or long-time residents. K8 aims to fill the gap between Filipino immigrant mountaineers and the Canadian climbing community. K8 is also a support system for Filipinos wrestling with the emotional and psychological toll of resettling, through the healing power of the mountains.

 Thanks to generous funding from MEC, each group is organizing an Avalanche Skills Training course with the provider of their choice for up to eight of their members.

“MEC wants to celebrate and encourage inclusivity in the outdoors through community support. We've put a larger focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the work we do with our national partners, which includes co-developing grants available to IBPOC-led organizations and supporting DEI training and development at partner organizations,” says Caitlin Brown, community manager for MEC. “The MEC Avalanche Safety Grant is an example of how, together with Avalanche Canada, we’re striving to make the outdoors more inclusive.”

The MEC Avalanche Safety Grant was established to provide greater access to outdoor opportunities for racialized Canadians. Backcountry Access also contributed to this initiative by providing two boxes of safety gear, each with eight sets of avalanche transceivers, shovels, and probes.

Avalanche Canada is supported by MEC’s Outdoor Impact Program.

Four organizations receive MEC Avalanche Safety Grant

MEC Avalanche Safety Grants Awarded

Avalanche Canada is thrilled to announce the return of the MEC Avalanche Safety Grant for the third consecutive year. This grant is aimed at increasing accessibility to the winter backcountry for non-profit organizations serving marginalized communities. With the generous support of MEC, this grant will fund four AST 1 courses this winter for non-profit organizations serving IBPOC (Indigenous, Black, people of colour) communities.

“Avalanche Canada recognizes that marginalized communities face disproportionate barriers in accessing winter backcountry pursuits in Canada,” explains Gilles Valade, Executive Director of Avalanche Canada. “We are grateful to partner with MEC to reduce some of these barriers and enable even more Canadians to pursue outdoor adventures safely.”

Last season, four groups took advantage of the grant to further their knowledge about backcountry safety. A participant with the Howl Experience shared their experience stating, “After attending the Avalanche Skills Training course with Howl this February, I feel much more confident navigating the backcountry safely. Before the course, I had minimal knowledge of the risks and what to be aware of in avalanche terrain. Our instructors were very knowledgeable, engaging, and happy to answer questions from our group.” 

Backcountry Access also generously contributed to this initiative by providing two boxes of safety gear, each with eight sets of avalanche transceivers, shovels, and probes for use on these courses.

The MEC Avalanche Safety Grant is integral to our ongoing commitment to ensure that our programs and services are welcoming to all of Canada’s diverse population.

If you would like to apply or are aware of any organizations that would benefit from this program, click here for an application form. The application deadline is November 6, 2023. 

Avalanche Canada is partnering with MEC to make AST courses more accessible to all Canadians.

MEC Avalanche Safety Grant Provides AST Courses for IBPOC Organizations for the 2023-24 Season

Pascal Haegli (centre) receives the 2023 Gordon Ritchie Service Award presented by Avalanche Canada executive director Gilles Valade (left) and Gordon Ritchie (right). 

Each year, Avalanche Canada bestows the Gordon Ritchie Service Award upon an individual or organization demonstrating exceptional commitment to public avalanche safety. This year, we proudly presented the award to Pascal Haegeli in acknowledgment of his invaluable contributions to public avalanche safety. 

In 2004, when Avalanche Canada was established, one of our first major projects aimed to create a practical, science-based decision-making tool for recreational backcountry users. Pascal spearheaded this project, which resulted in the Avaluator. The Avaluator remains a cornerstone of our training program today. 

Over the years, Pascal has led some of the most significant and impactful avalanche research in the professional community. His study on airbag effectiveness has influenced workplace safety, while his fresh analysis of fatality data has provided a new perspective on avalanche survival times in Canada. He helped develop InfoEx 3.0 and the conceptual model of avalanche hazard. His ongoing research into how guides incorporate hazard ratings continues to stimulate thoughtful discussions. 

His work is equally vital for the recreational community. His research, and that of the program he leads, focuses on the science of human behavior. This is key to helping us understand how recreationists make decisions and how we can best encourage a thoughtful and structured approach to avalanche safety. This improved understanding of user responses to risky environments has enabled us to develop a range of tools, resources, and curricula. We now possess a deeper understanding of who uses the avalanche bulletins, what they understand, how external factors influence them, and what information they may be missing. Pascal's essential research remains a driving force, consistently inspiring and guiding our efforts. 

Pascal holds a tenured associate professorship at Simon Fraser University, where he currently serves as the NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Avalanche Risk Management. He is also an integral part of our Avalanche Canada family.

Pascal Haegeli, a renowned expert in avalanche safety research, honoured with Gordon Ritchie Service Award

Recent news