CAA needs our feedback, here's the scoop... The Canadian Avalanche Centre, in conjunction with Simon Fraser University, is seeking survey participants for a study on out-of-bounds avalanche decision making. Findings from the study will be used to develop tools for communicating avalanche risk and assisting out-of-bounds decisions making.

The Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC) is issuing a Special Avalanche Warning for the North Shore Mountains of Vancouver and surrounding areas, including the Howe Sound Crest and extending east to the Coquihalla Summit. This warning is in place from Friday February 1 through Sunday February 3.

CAC Operations Manager John Kelly says there is an unusually weak layer in the snowpack of this region. “The colder weather earlier this month created this weakness,” he explains, “and we are concerned that recreational backcountry users in this area will not have much experience with this type of problem. Now, the recent new snow is making backcountry travel very attractive. We are issuing this warning to get the message out that an extra margin of safety is required for anyone traveling in the avalanche terrain this coming weekend.”