New avalanche signage increases backcountry safety
By Contributor
Backcountry enthusiasts will now have access to better information for evaluating snow conditions and assessing avalanche risks, thanks to new avalanche awareness signage around the province.
Avalanche awareness signs targeting mountain snowmobilers have been posted at 23 key highway locations and most of the 85 managed snowmobile areas in the province. These signs advise sledders they are entering avalanche territory and provide a telephone number and website address that gives up-to-date local avalanche conditions.
Avaluator signage, providing users with step-by-step instructions for assessing avalanche dangers, will be installed at nine of B.C.’s most popular snowmobile trail access sites. The signs provide a map of the area, which includes a visual representation of how risky the terrain is in relation to avalanches.
“It’s important that outdoor enthusiasts have access to accurate and relevant information as they head into the backcountry,” said Steve Thomson, Minister of Natural Resource Operations. “This new signage, including the new Avaluator signage, will help people to recreate safely in the backcountry whether they are sledding, skiing, snowboarding or hiking.”
“Winter safety is all about personal preparedness,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Shirley Bond. “To help keep snowmobilers safe, our ministry has installed more than 20 signs that provide a toll-free number and website address to check avalanche conditions before proceeding into the backcountry. These signs are near highway pullouts that are popular entry points for snowmobilers.”
“The Association of B.C. Snowmobile Clubs and our member clubs are very appreciative of the efforts of the B.C government to assist all of us involved in avalanche safety in our efforts to reduce these mostly preventable tragedies,” said Al Hodgson, president, Association of British Columbia Snowmobile Clubs.
“Having promoted avalanche safety as part of its Sledsafe Program for over 40 years, we are pleased to see the continual support of the provincial government towards avalanche safety with the announcement made today of additional funding to CAC and the installation of the new highway avalanche warning signs,” said Les Auston, executive director, BC Snowmobile Federation.
“These new signs are a welcome addition to a growing list of avalanche awareness and education initiatives,” says Ian Tomm, executive director, Canadian Avalanche Centre. “Once again, the government of B.C. has demonstrated its commitment to public avalanche safety.”
KEY FACTS
Avaluator Signs
* Avaluator Signs are located:
o Near Golden: Gorman Lake, Quartz Creek, Silent Pass
o Near Revelstoke: Frisby Ridge, Boulder Mountain
o Near Sicamous: Owl Head, Blue Lake, Eagle Pass, Queest Mountain
* Avaluator signs were created using the Avalanche Terrain Exposure
Scale (ATES). With these new signs, mapped snowmobiling terrain in the
province has quadrupled-complete drainages are now mapped so sledders
can see clearly where the risk of avalanches changes on the trail.
* To see an Avaluator sign and an avalanche awareness snowmobile trail
heads and highway sign, visit:
http://www.mediaroom.gov.bc.ca/DisplayEventDetails.aspx?eventId=508
SNOWMOBILE TRAIL AREAS
* Click on
http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-facility-activity-results.aspx
AVALANCHE SAFETY TIPS
* Get the training – a two-day Avalanche Skills Training course is your
first step
* Get the gear – everyone in the party needs a beacon, probe and shovel
* Choose your terrain according to the conditions of the day – always
check the bulletin at: http://www.avalanche.ca
LEARN MORE
* Check out the Canadian Avalanche Centre’s website:
* Want to know the local snowmobile clubs in your area? Visit the of
Association of British Columbia Snowmobile Clubs website:
http://www.abcsnow.ca/ or the BC Snowmobile Federation’s website at:
* Learn more about avalanche skills training:
