Avalanche awareness
Mount Revelstoke National Park
Mount Revelstoke National Park is in avalanche country. Winter travelers must be knowledgeable of avalanche terrain and have self-rescue capability and appropriate training to ensure their own safety.
Travel Tips
- Ski in a group that includes knowledgeable participants. Discuss and practice rescue techniques with your partners. Take part in route finding decisions. Ski touring is more of a team sport than it first appears.
- Practice using a transceiver until you can find two of them in two minutes. Have someone bury it for you repeatedly. Use a plastic bag to keep moisture out of the unit. Don't forget to turn it on first.
- Take an avalanche course. It's a fascinating subject and you'll meet interesting people.
- Phone ahead for avalanche information. Prepare alternative destinations based on conditions.
- Notwithstanding all of the above, have a good time!
Where to Go to Learn More
While not everyone needs to become a snow scientist, all backcountry users should be attuned to avalanche information. Professional evaluations of conditions are available. Glacier National Park issues a daily avalanche bulletin for backcountry users as part of the avalanche control work conducted to protect Trans-Canada Highway traffic through Rogers Pass. Call 250-837-MTNS for a report that also includes backcountry travel conditions.
The Canadian Avalanche Association offers a similar service by pooling information from avalanche operations covering the southern portions of British Columbia and Alberta. Reach them at 1-800-667-1105 or www.avalanche.ca.
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