Pre-Trip Planning

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Trip Planner

This website is designed to assist you during the trip planning stage at home. The application will help you to combine the relevant current danger ratings with the avalanche terrain rating of your intended trip. Here is how to use the site as a guide for trip planning decisions.
STEP 1 Open the Online Trip Planning Tool.
STEP 2 Select an avalanche bulletin forecast region.
(currently only works for CAC bulletins)
STEP 3 Highlight a travel day by clicking on the relevant column of the danger rating table.
STEP 4 Choose your activity.
STEP 5 Choose a destination region to narrow down the trip list.
Avaluator Trip Planner
STEP 6 Click on a trip to combine the avalanche terrain rating of the trip with the relevant avalanche danger rating.

If your trip is only in SIMPLE terrain, only the danger rating of the relevant elevation zones (alpine, treeline, below treeline) are used for the assessment.
If your trip leads you into CHALLENGING and COMPLEX terrain, the highest avalanche danger rating of all elevation zones is used.

You can double-click on the trip to get detailed background information.
While the current list of trips might be short, we are hoping to expand the number of rated trips over time. Please check in frequently for updates.
STEP 7 Decide whether the intended trip is within your comfort zone. Click here to learn more about the meaning of the colours on the Avaluator™ trip planning chart. Make sure the decision feels right for everybody in your group.

Make it a habit to print out the avalanche bulletin and bring it along. This way you can be sure not to forget any important details.

Check the weather forecast. Be aware that avalanche hazard can dramatically increase with changes in weather. Remember that limited visibility can make it difficult for you to assess avalanche hazard during your trip.

Be sure to the leave a detailed trip plan with a responsible person.

Don't forget to carry a beacon, shovel, probe and other emergency gear!
 

Trip planning is only the first step in avalanche risk management!

To get your own Avaluator with more decision-making tips go to the CAC store.
Warning: Mountain travel is dangerous and can involve exposure to avalanches and other hazards. Decision guides like the Avaluator cannot eliminate these hazards, but they can help you understand and manage them. However, the Avaluator is no substitute for training, experience, and choosing skilled and responsible travel partners.