Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/112497
(snow fracture and guiding) Grant Statham recommendations in Parks Canada���s Rogers Pass report, such as a green-circle, blue-square, black-diamond system like the one used by resorts, but modified for avalanche terrain. It would be based on how heli-ski companies manage winter schedules regardless of avalanche danger: the province���s most popular backcountry ski areas mapped with avalanches in mind, then rated simple, challenging or complex to help skiers decide where to ski for the conditions and their ability. Statham then turned to the parks bulletins��� text-heavy prose, though this time he looked for advice outside the avalanche industry. ���Grant was the first person to talk to other experts about risk ��� those who knew nothing about avalanches, per se, but knew how we could better influence public behaviour in a positive way,��� says Tomm. Statham���s redesigned avalanche-safety bulletin, launched for the winter 2010-2011 season, featured simple graphics and icons addressing the four most important variables of avalanche risk: What are the main snowpack problems? Where can they be found? How easy are they to trigger? What are the consequences if an avalanche happens? Suddenly what started as a Parks Canada initiative was circulating among avalanche specialists around the world. With inexperienced users scoring 98 per cent comprehension in Parks Canada���s follow-up, the Canadian Avalanche Association immediately adopted the format. Still, Statham is quick to point out that nothing he has done removes the risks inherent in backcountry travel, and acknowledges there is a lot of pressure to close the mountains in winter. ���But this is a free country and these are public spaces. People are responsible for themselves. Our job is not to make decisions for them. It is to educate and set them up for success. And we know that once they���re hooked on the backcountry, they���re going to love and protect it.��� ���Ryan Stuart GET MOBILIZED Grant Statham recommends that all backcountry adventurers take the two-day Avalanche Skills Training courses taught by Canadian Avalanche Association members (alpinespecialists.com); online avalanchesafety tutorials at avalanche.ca For Statham���s custom, guided avalanche safety, backcountry ski and climbing treks: alpinespecialists.com Y Member savings and bene���ts for B.C. winter travel: bcaa. com/roadtrips WESTWORLD p20-23_Profile.indd 23 >> W I N T E R 2 0 1 2 23 12-10-26 7:32 AM