The Colorado Avalanche Information Center is Asking For Your Help by Completing a Survey to Make Forecasts More Effective

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) provides avalanche safety information, and education and promotes research to help people reduce their risk from avalanches. According to the CAIC, since 1950 avalanches have killed more people in Colorado than any other natural hazard. It also stated that Colorado accounts for one-third of all avalanche deaths in the United States. The CAIC and other avalanche groups are now asking people to take a survey to make avalanche forecasts more effective in the future.

• Related Article: 3 Snowbikers Killed in Avalanche in Chic-Choc Mountains, QC

The CAIC shared on its website that it along with the Avalanche Research Program at Simon Fraser University and the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research are researching to examine how backcountry recreationists (for example, skiers, mountain snowmobilers, snowshoers, and ice climbers) interpret avalanche forecast information. The goal of the survey is to better understand how useful different kinds of avalanche forecast information are for trip planning. The CAIC wrote:

“We are interested to hear from backcountry users of all experience levels. The results of this study will offer important insight for making avalanche forecasts more effective for everyone.”

As a token of the CAIC’s appreciation, participants who complete the survey before April 15, 2024, will be entered in a draw for 5 amazing prizes provided by the Friends of the CAIC. The five winners will be able to choose from the following prizes (as quantities last):

• A Backcountry air helmet (white or black) from Backcountry Access
• A Transporter duffle bag (65 or 40 liters) from Osprey 
• A Dawn patrol backpack (25 liters) from Black Diamond
• Microspikes from Kahtoola

The CAIC survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete and it is much easier to complete the survey on a computer or tablet than a phone. Any information that can help save people’s lives is invaluable and would assist the appropriate officials on how to make that happen. Even a little effort and time taken toward promoting avalanche safety could end up saving your or someone else’s life.

To take the survey visit the CAIC’s website.