The seventh annual Avalanche Awareness Day offered Albertans fun, hands-on activities and information on avalanche safety and winter survival.
This year’s event was held Jan. 20 in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. It featured live demonstrations such as how to assess avalanche terrain, how to build a snow shelter and fire-starting strategies.
“Avalanche Awareness Day is a great opportunity for Albertans and their families to get outdoors, learn vital safety tips and have some fun. The Alberta government is proud to support avalanche and winter safety programs, especially as more and more Albertans head into the backcountry.”
~Shannon Phillips, Minister of Environment and Parks
Fat biking, beacon and transceiver searches and snow pit testing was also featured. Visitors were able to meet an avalanche rescue dog in training, and there was free hot chocolate, which was enjoyed next to our warming fire pits. Snowshoes were recommended to get around the park. There were free snowshoes available for people who didn’t have their own. Last year’s Avalanche Awareness Day drew more than 500 visitors.
In addition to avalanche safety programming, the province has provided $1.4 million to Avalanche Canada since 2011. This investment supports the important work of Avalanche Canada, which provides, in partnership with the province, daily avalanche forecasts, avalanche safety training and focused outreach programs.
“Avalanche Canada’s role is to provide Canadians with the tools and training needed to safely explore their winter backcountry. We are grateful to the Government of Alberta for its continued support of our work.”
~Gilles Valade, executive director, Avalanche Canada