Together, we’re saving lives

The Avalanche Canada Foundation is a registered charity that supports youth education, community outreach, research, and public safety programs that make a difference.

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You can save a life too. Here’s how.

Research

Developing science-based decision tools

Canada leads the world in recreational avalanche safety training and public avalanche forecasting. Recent research into enhancing public avalanche safety has produced advancements in snowpack modelling and forecast analytics, as well as other ongoing work. Promising efforts are underway to develop improved tools for mapping and navigating avalanche terrain.

Forecasting

Providing over 3,000 daily avalanche forecasts each winter.

Avalanche Canada has the world's largest forecasting area, spanning close to 300,000 sq km of Canada’s mountainous terrain. Our forecasters tap into a unique network of data from industry professionals, which is augmented by data from our own field teams and information submitted by the public. Our daily avalanche forecasts are essential for winter backcountry users.

Training

Empowering over 12,000 students taking Avalanche Canada Training (AST) courses.

The Avalanche Canada Training program is the national standard for avalanche training and education. Students learn how to recognize avalanche terrain, evaluate hazards, and gain the skills required for winter backcountry travel.

Community Outreach

Inspiring, engaging, and empowering all recreational users of the winter backcountry.

Avalanche Canada has programs and resources for all types of winter backcountry users, including under-represented and diverse communities. Our goal is to reach everyone who ventures into avalanche terrain, raising awareness of hazards, and encouraging the growth of knowledge and skills for informed adventures.

The Avalanche Canada School Program provides in-class winter safety training for students K – 12. Our age-appropriate curriculum provides a progression through general winter and ski resort safety, to backcountry avalanche awareness. Students learn about essential safety gear, respecting ski resort boundaries, and understanding avalanche forecasts.  

Engaging students from K – 12.

Youth Education

Youth Education

Avalanche Canada School Program Toolbox

Our toolboxes contain a set of avalanche transceivers, shovels, and probes. The toolboxes are sent to schools to provide students with hands-on experience with this essential safety equipment. A manual is included to help teachers lead an effective session. Students learn how the tools work, the importance of respecting ski resort boundaries, and how to read an avalanche forecast, making them more knowledgeable and aware.

Toolbox cost: $500

What’s new

Demand for online learning is growing

Webinars are a growing success

Support us in STYLE! Avalanche Canada Merch

Backcountry recreation is an important part of Valemount’s community fabric and Avalanche Canada has helped our community make fantastic strides forward in skier and rider safety. Their simple avalanche forecasts, Mountain Information Network, and outreach to skiers and snowmobilers help create a culture of safety, knowledge, and fun amongst a group of snow-loving risk takers. Please, keep it up!

Andru McCracken

Editor, The Rocky Mountain Goat

Valemount, BC

Carine Salvy

Executive Director, Alpine Club of Canada

Mary Weselake

Fernie, BC

At the Alpine Club of Canada, we strive to change people’s lives through mountaineering experiences. Our members are passionate about climbing, hiking, and skiing in alpine environments, all of which can take them deep into avalanche terrain. We rely on the public forecasts produced by Avalanche Canada and are grateful for the programs and services they provide to ensure these adventures are planned accordingly and allow everyone to return home safely.

My son Todd was buried in an avalanche while backcountry skiing with friends in 2009. He’s alive today because his friends had taken an Avalanche Skills Training course and knew exactly what to do. After that incident, I was a fundraiser for many years to help support Avalanche Canada so they can continue their work teaching people about avalanche safety.

Help save a life today and in the future. Every dollar counts.

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