CSPS YUKON AVALANCHE HOME PAGE
2005-2006 avalanche courses in Yukon - NEW
Avalanche Observation Submissions
WELCOME to the Canadian Ski Patrol System Yukon Zone avalanche information site.
On this page you will find links to valuable information related to avalanche education, observations, and rescue as well as weather sites for Yukon, Northern B.C. and Alaska.
There is no coordinated avalanche research, public forecasting, or public education ongoing in Yukon at this time. Data collected by snow professionals is limited to the south Klondike Highway and is intended to forecast avalanche hazard only for users of the highway corridor. Avalanche education opportunities are targeted at high school students, outdoor clubs and recreational users and are provided by a number of individuals.
Increased backcountry Use
Recreational use of the Yukon backcountry is on the rise, with an increase in the number of reported and unreported avalanche incidents. Of special concern is the increased Front Range access by young skiers, boarders and sledders as well as increased backcountry access by more experienced skiers and boarders supported by snow machines. Increased power and changes in snow machine technology allows sledders to access the backcountry under more and more extreme conditions. Efforts are now underway to provide consistent and standardized avalanche education opportunities in the Yukon and to encourage those with both the training and not, to report their observations of avalanche occurrences, snowpack observations, stability tests, and weather.
Our long term educational goal includes encouragement of provision of a public avalanche forecast, but the initial focus is on workshops, training and sharing of information.
Safety in the Backcountry:
Before ever venturing into the backcountry you should educate yourself. You can learn to be avalanche aware in a number of different ways. Start by reading books and conducting web research. Enroll in a quality avalanche education program, with field-oriented training. Take note of avalanche activity in areas you commonly travel and play in and share that information with others. Travel with people who are aware of avalanche danger and have the necessary equipment to carry-out a companion rescue if the party becomes involved in an avalanche. Share and use our avalanche observational information along with other snow and weather reports to plan your recreational outing. This data is only a small part of the needed information.
When you leave for a trip into the backcountry, have a plan. Good communication among group members is essential. Leave a trip plan with a responsible friend who is not travelling with you. Carry the needed backcountry equipment. Probe, avalanche transceiver, and a shovel are mandatory tools. Knowing how to use them is key to saving your life. Talk about the route selection among your group in order to avoid venturing into avalanche terrain. The best avalanche rescue plan is to not get caught in one, but if one does occur have a strategy already thought out. Experience is key, and practice is critical in order to carry out a timely self rescue.
For the Front Range and backcountry of the Yukon, recreational users must rely on personal knowledge, experience, training and practice. Many skiers, boarders and sledders are exploring the Yukon Mountains and are in a position to share information that they collect and observe in their travels.
Avalanche observations are considered to be class “A” information. If avalanches are occurring, for example, on north to east aspects (the direction the slope faces), within the White Pass area generally, at 3500 to 5000 feet, one can make an assumption, without testing the snowpack, that there is an avalanche hazard in locations meeting that same terrain criteria. Being able to interpret that observation and share that observation is a key piece of information for both you and others in determining where to travel on a particular day.
Spending the day in blizzard like conditions, with a strong west wind and accumulations of 10 to 15 centimetres of snow is also a good observation to share with others as it will provide valuable information about where snow is accumulating in potential avalanche start zones.
Weather Observations:
Being able to access formal weather observations is key to understanding what is happening to the snowpack on a daily level, and how earlier season weather patterns and events are affecting the ever changing strength of the snowpack. We hope to be able to provide access to observational information from key mountain weather observation stations in the White Pass and Chilkat Pass. Some information is already on the CSPS Yukon Zone patrol web site. Stay tuned.
Snowpack and Snow Stability Observations:
The Canadian Ski Patrol System and Canadian Avalanche Association encourage the submission of formal observations of the snowpack as well as the results of snow stability tests. Please note that while we encourage submission of data, observation locations and the results of tests are going to vary from other locations and we ask that you refrain from interpreting your information in the form of a speculative avalanche forecast. It takes many observations and skillful interpretation by professionals to accurately forecast avalanche hazard. Your observations will assist other individuals in making their own judgment calls in combination with information they are also collecting.
NEW - Avalanche observations can now be submitted to the Canadian Avalanche Association web site by clicking on "Discussion Boards", then selecting "Klondike".
A special location called “Klondike” has been set aside for information related to the Atlin, White Pass, Chilkat Pass, and Whitehorse areas.
* For further clarification, and for consistency in observations, the areas are:
1) Atlin Area
2) Whitehorse Area
3) Haines Junction and Chilkat Pass
4) White Pass, Chilkoot Pass, Log Cabin Mountain, South Klondike Highway
Information to be submitted:
Snowpack, stability and weather observations submitted to the site should follow the “Observation Guidelines and Recording Standards for Weather, Snowpack and Avalanches” produced by the Canadian Avalanche Centre. This book describes the type, techniques, and recording format employed when taking observations for snow stability and avalanche hazard forecasting.
As a reminder, it is important that you make a note of the date, location, time, aspect, elevation, terrain type/incline, boot penetration, avalanche type, involvement details, and results of personal weather, snowpack, and stability test observations. We also encourage you to send us photos. Avalanche involvements should be shared with others. Don’t be embarrassed by being caught in or triggering an avalanche…its one of the hazards of playing in the mountains. Submission of detailed information to the CAA will allow this information to be shared more broadly and may allow for the early investigation, by a professional, of the area in order to determine why the avalanche occurred.
Don’t be intimidated by this list. If all you can offer is a location and a description please do…the more information the better.
History – Why was this web site developed?
There is no coordinated
avalanche research, forecasting, or public education ongoing in Yukon at
this time. Avalanche education programs have been provided by a variety
of individuals but until recently, no regularly scheduled programs have
been offered in the Yukon.
Recreational use of the Yukon backcountry is on the rise, with an increase in the number of
reported and unreported avalanche incidents.
Of special concern is the
increased front range access by young skiers,
boarders and sledders as well as increased backcountry access by more experienced skiers and boarders supported by
snow machines. As well, increased power and changes in snow machine
technology allows sledders to access the
backcountry under more and more extreme conditions. Efforts are now
underway to provide consistent and standardized avalanche education
opportunities in the Yukon and to encourage those with both the training
and not, to report their observations of avalanche occurrences, snowpack
observations, stability tests, and weather.
Our long term educational goal includes provision of a public avalanche forecast, but the initial focus is on workshops, training and sharing of information.
What We Do Now:
The Canadian Ski Patrol System (CSPS) has been active in the Yukon for many years with a successful Nordic program, and later, with the opening of Mt. Sima, with a successful alpine program. As well, the CSPS Yukon Zone patrol area includes the mountain passes of the South Klondike Highway and the Haines Highway. The primary focus for the mountain passes to date has been the provision of avalanche education at both a primary and high school level, public workshops and provision of training at a superior standard, using curriculum, instructional materials and student handbooks provided by the Canadian Avalanche Association. Some years our programs have reached over 1000 individuals.
Our Plans for the Future:
We are just unveiling this, our first website. Initially, it will be a simple site with information on educational courses, links to key avalanche information sites and links to key weather sites of importance to Yukon, Northern BC and South-east Alaska mountain users.
Web Locations
and links to other information:
Location for detailed avalanche information, public avalanche bulletins, education, glossaries, links to weather, submission of observations, avalanche accidents, books and videos.
Canadian Avalanche Association
Locations for weather information
Information on Yukon Educational Opportunities
Information on Alaskan/U.S education and resources