Due to the ever increasing number of winter backcountry recreationalists, avalanche awareness and safety has become more of a priority than ever.  In 2004, North America suffered its most fatalities ever with 34.  It is obvious that avalanches are hazards that should not be taken lightly.  Although the science is technically rigorous, avalanches continue to be impossible to predict and require us to have a thorough understanding of the basics.  For example, ADFAR is one of the many initiatives of the Canadian Avalanche Association that provides one with new techniques and methods for making better decisions when traveling in avalanche terrain.  The goal of this particular project is the design of a simple tool that can help backcountry users manage their risk in the mountains, and help at home when planning winter outings.

The Rogers Pass area of southeastern British Columbia perfectly exemplifies the hazardous nature of avalanches.  Ornamented by the Selkirk and Monashee mountain ranges, Rogers Pass is outlined by the Kootenay communities of Revelstoke to the west and Golden to the east.  With the implementation of the avalanche control center, located across from the Rogers Pass information center, the number avalanche fatalities has dramatically decreased to almost zero.  Public awareness of avalanches in Rogers Pass has been driven by media attention, particularly in the case of recreational activities.  On February 1, 2003, seven students from Strathcona-Tweedsmuir High School in Okotoks, Alberta were killed by an avalanche in the Rogers Pass area while on a field trip.  Controversy surrounding the event spawned from allegations that the school had not taken the proper precautions in planning the field trip.  Cases like this bring forth the significance of a need for avalanche awareness.

Although world-wide standards have been established assessing avalanche slope stability, there still exists many differences in which the way this information is broadcasted.  In Canada, we have been blessed with the daily avalanche bulletins of the Canadian Avalanche Association.  The Canadian Avalanche Association acts as a Canada wide database where all avalanche related data can be found.   However, in the US there are several "avalanche centers" where often, it is difficult to obtain data if you do not know where to look.  This can be especially confusing for people trying to plan a trip who are not from that particular area.   This is a  problem that certainly needs to be addresed and is discussed -> here.