Chapter 1

Introduction

Welcome to Avy Savvy!

This is the beginning of what we hope will be a lifetime of learning that will continue throughout your winter backcountry adventures.

Every day through the winter, thousands enjoy the wonders of our mountainous backcountry, whether on skis, snowboard, snowmobile, or snowshoes. They experience incredible natural beauty, get great exercise, and enjoy the incomparable pleasures of powder snow.

But travelling in the winter backcountry can include the risk of avalanches. Avalanches are the deadliest natural disaster in Canada, killing more people every year than all other natural disasters combined.

Avalanches rarely strike from above without warning. More than 90% of fatal avalanche accidents are caused by the victim or someone in the victim’s party. This means learning more about avalanches—how and where they form, when they’re more likely to occur—and learning how to make consistent decisions, can help you manage this inherent risk.