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Avalanche Forecasting & Ratings
The Whistler Alpine Guides Bureau is a proud supporter and subscriber to the Canadian Avalanche Association's Industry Information Exchange Program (InfoEx). Operating continuously since 1991 this daily exchange of technical avalanche, terrain, snow and weather data along with detailed hazard assessments improves each subscriber's awareness of the conditions across western Canada, greatly enhancing their ability to manage their local avalanche risks.
InfoEx serves as one of the key sources of data and assessments used by the Canadian Avalanche Centre's public avalanche forecasters to produce and verify public avalanche bulletins and warnings. The value of the InfoEx contribution to public avalanche safety is estimated to be in excess of $2 million annually.
The Canadian Avalanche Center's public avalanche danger ratings and warnings are intended solely for the recreating public who must make their own decisions in avalanche terrain. When on a trip with the Whistler Alpine Guides Bureau you are under the care of professionals who manage avalanche risk by choosing terrain that is appropriate for the current conditions. The Canadian Avalanche Center's danger ratings are based on very large regions (e.g. the North Columbia region is approximately 60,000 sq km, roughly the size of Switzerland). Public avalanche forecasts are a general summary of conditions, and there can be significant variation within a forecast region.
With the Whistler Alpine Guides Bureau you will be guided by professionally trained guides, with years of experience in the Whistler Blackckcomb backcountry. Our team is in the backcountry most days throughout the season monitoring snow, weather and avalanche conditions in combination with assessments from other resources such as the Industry Information Exchange Program above. Based on this local knowledge and experience of terrain, we have a much greater degree of accuracy in our assessments.
With our knowledge and experience, we may be able to operate in conditions that would not be recommended for amateur recreationists. Trained and experienced avalanche professionals can determine if snow stability and avalanche hazard is improving or worsening but no one can predict with absolute certainty where and when an avalanche will occur. Given the current state of avalanche science and operational expertise, unexpected events can still occur.
Links
Public Avalanche Bulletin - Sea to Sky Region
