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
Family Donates to Avalanche Canada Foundation in Memory of Lost Loved Ones
The Avalanche Canada Foundation recently received a heartfelt donation from a family deeply connected to the cause. Lazar Velev made a generous contribution in memory of his brother and several of his friends who tragically passed away in an avalanche in 1997, underscoring the enduring impact of Avalanche Canada's public avalanche safety programs and services.
"We are honored to support the training and resource programs that Avalanche Canada has developed and supported,” say Simone and Lazar Velev. Simone recently organized a fundraiser for Avalanche Canada in celebration of their son’s first birthday. Named in honour of his late uncle Alex, the birthday fundraiser was a tribute to both his uncle’s memory and the cause that aims to prevent such tragedies. "We had tremendous support from our friends in the community and were privileged to get a company match through my employer and Benevity," says Lazar.
Benevity, a platform that facilitates corporate giving, played a crucial role in maximizing the impact of this donation. The matched donation highlights the importance of community and corporate support in furthering the mission of Avalanche Canada.
Lazar is encouraged by Avalanche Canada’s impact on young backcountry users: “I’m truly impressed by the awareness and knowledge out there compared to where we were in the 90s, not to mention the information resource that you’ve created with the new forecast site and MIN system."
Avalanche Canada Foundation Executive Director Jeff Storck expressed deep gratitude for the donation. "This contribution not only honors the memory of those lost but also fuels our ongoing efforts to enhance safety and awareness for backcountry users. We are deeply moved by this family's generosity and commitment to our cause."
The Avalanche Canada Foundation depends on contributions by individuals and communities to fulfill its mission of supporting Avalanche Canada’s work and funding research projects that enhance public avalanche safety in Canada. Donations like these enable the development and sustenance of programs that educate backcountry enthusiasts across Canada.
If you’re interested in donating to the Avalanche Canada Foundation, learn more here.
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.