Our charity is dedicated to raising funds for Avalanche Canada. Through the work of Avalanche Canada, winter backcountry users are provided with a safety net of programs that help them make good decisions while travelling in avalanche terrain. These programs include daily public avalanche forecasts for western Canada, public avalanche safety education, and training seminars targeting the diverse demographic of users who enjoy Canada’s spectacular snowy backcountry.

Did You Know?

While most avalanche fatalities (about 80%) occur in BC, almost half of the victims over the past decade were residents of Alberta. And of all snowmobilers killed in avalanches in BC, about two-thirds were from Alberta.

But Avalanche Canada’s programs are making a difference. On average, 10 people die each year in avalanches. This number is the lowest it’s been since the mid-90s. Considering the exponential increase in winter backcountry use over the past 20 years, this is a remarkable achievement.Avalanche Canada’s programs are internationally recognized and used as benchmarks by other alpine countries. The most visible product is the daily avalanche forecast, delivered free to the public through avalanche.ca and the mobile app. These forecast regions cover over 300,000 sq km of mountainous terrain. In terms of geography, Avalanche Canada is the largest avalanche forecasting program in the world, by far.

Avalanche Canada’s forecasting programs include:

• Lively social media channels providing insight and analysis on regional snowpack conditions throughout the winter. Follow Avalanche Canada on Instagram and Facebook.
• Field teams in the South Rockies, North Rockies, and the Yukon, gather data for their regional forecasts. These avalanche technicians also do important outreach with their local communities.
• The Mountain Information Network allows users to share their own information and observations, which are then geo-tagged to the main page map at avalanche.ca
• The Mountain Weather Forecast provides users with the best publicly available synopsis and analysis of western Canada’s weather.

Avalanche Canada also provides several specialized services that complement the forecasting programs and promotes skill development for managing avalanche risk.

• The Start Here page provides new backcountry users with a basic introduction to recognizing avalanche terrain and identifying weather conditions that lead to increased avalanche hazard.
• The Avy Savvy online tutorial is an interactive eight-chapter site that takes users through the essential steps of preparing for the winter backcountry.
• The Trip Planner helps users choose terrain appropriate for the current conditions in areas that have been rated with the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale.
• The Avalanche Canada Training program is the national standard for recreational avalanche training. Each winter, about 12,000 people take courses through this program.
• Avalanche Canada’s Youth Program delivers avalanche education to students K-12 in Alberta and BC and provides resources for educators and youth groups.

Avalanche Canada’s programs and services are provided for free but they are the result of significant investment. If you, or someone you care about, use any of these services, please consider making a $100 donation to the Avalanche Canada Foundation  today. You will receive a tax receipt and your generosity will help to ensure that Avalanche Canada can continue to innovate and inspire.

We’re immensely proud of the work done at Avalanche Canada and we hope you are too. Together let’s make every winter backcountry trip a safe one. Your support is appreciated!