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American Avalanche Institute

@avyinstitute

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Avalanche education since 1973.
Professional & recreational avalanche training
Field-based education. Practical decision-making.
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CSAW is just a couple days away! We’ll be there and would love to see you. AAI team member Drew Gibson will be presenting a case study on the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in avalanche search and rescue alongside Austin Finnell of Summit County Rescue Group at 9:25. Our team will also be at the booth, so stop by to say hello! Whether you’re a past student, current student, or industry partner, we’d love to connect. Looking forward to celebrating CAIC’s 25th anniversary and connecting with the avalanche community! by @avyinstitute
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a day ago
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The only Pro 1 course on the East Coast is back this February! Mt. Washington is known for some of the wildest weather on the continent, making the White Mountains a unique place to study how terrain, snowpack, and weather come together to create complex avalanche conditions. Join us this winter for our Pro 1 course in partnership with @eastcoastavalancheeducation and learn in one of the most dynamic mountain environments in the East. by @avyinstitute
2
3 days ago
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We caught up with Gabrielle Antonioli, new Director of the Sawtooth Avalanche Center and AAI instructor, at ISSW 2026 in Whistler! Gabrielle shares her thoughts on the conference, the importance of communicating forecast uncertainty, and how research and technology are helping avalanche centers create more useful, accessible forecast products for backcountry users. As forecasting tools continue to evolve, collaboration between snow professionals and tech scientists will be key to helping people make more informed decisions in the mountains. Thanks, Gabrielle, for talking with us! by @avyinstitute
9
6 days ago
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The final day of the ISSW maintained the momentum of the week and carried it into some great presentations on large avalanches from around the globe, decision making in operations, and how story telling and sharing incidents makes the community stronger. In the afternoon there was a first-of-its-kind panel discussion about big line riding for skiers, snowboarders, and sledders. The discussion examined perspectives from professional athletes and how they assess risk and manage consequences. The closing ceremonies officially passed the torch from Whistler to Snowbird, where the 2028 ISSW will be held. Thank you for following our journey this week. We hope to see you in a course this season where we get to take the latest theory and merge it into practice. by @avyinstitute
2
10 days ago
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The hits keep coming as we rolled through day 4. The morning highlighted advanced modeling and remote sensing that supports avalanche forecasting, as well as an update on backcountry guiding practices. For the afternoon, presenters talked about how to better support decision making in wicked environments, foster dissent in discussions, and manage our human-caused hazards. by @avyinstitute
0
13 days ago
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Day 3 at ISSW is a day of field trips and stretching the legs and lungs. Conference delegates take to the mountains, the streams, and the links. A few of our crew visited the avalanche mitigation programs of Whistler Blackcomb and The Sea To Sky corridor. Others took the time to enjoy the pristine dirt of the Whistler Bike Park. And several spent time at the first ever ISSW Public Day to engage with the local backcountry community and share the excitement of the conference with a wider audience. The evening capped off with the annual American Avalanche Associate (A3) Member Meeting to share updates to the organization and a look ahead at next season. As well as awards and memorials for those that have served our community or left us too soon. by @avyinstitute
2
14 days ago
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Day 2 at ISSW brought another full day of science, innovation, and conversation across the avalanche industry. We started with advances in understanding fracture mechanics, followed by discussions from ski areas around the world on infrastructure, forecasting methodologies, and worker safety. Remote avalanche control and remote sensing continue to evolve rapidly, opening up new possibilities for how avalanche professionals manage risk and collect information. The afternoon covered everything from mapping and travel techniques to the latest developments in explosives mitigation. Poster sessions highlighted emerging topics including climate change and avalanche forecasting, Search and Rescue frameworks for motorized users, and the ways AI is being leveraged in forecasting. We wrapped up the day celebrating the Stellar Women and this year’s award recipients, recognizing the people and contributions helping move the avalanche community forward. Another big day at ISSW, and today is an off day. Our team is taking the opportunity for some working sessions, catching up, and enjoying Whistler Village before the conference continues! by @avyinstitute
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15 days ago
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ISSW is bringing together the science, operations, and human factors that shape avalanche work. In this interview from Whistler, Jenna Malone shares some of the research catching her attention this week, from atmospheric rivers and highway operations in British Columbia to avalanche loads on bridges and improving transparency between forecasters and line patrollers. Jenna is also presenting two projects of her own. On Thursday, she’ll share research on “Being Difficult,” exploring how avalanche forecast teams can encourage dissent and create space for junior team members to speak up. On Friday, she’ll present a poster on the “March Mega Thaw,” examining the record warmth, low snowfall, and resulting wet slab and glide avalanche cycle that challenged forecasters across Utah. From fracture initiation and super shear in the morning sessions to operational challenges in the afternoon, there’s a lot to dig into at ISSW this year. Thanks for talking with us Jenna! by @avyinstitute
12
15 days ago
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Day 1 at ISSW brought together the international avalanche community to share research, ideas, and experiences shaping the future of avalanche safety. From advances in avalanche release research and the human factors that influence decision-making, to risk management, risk communication, and the growing role of AI in avalanche operations, forecasting, and data analysis, the day was filled with thoughtful conversations and new perspectives. We wrapped up the day with a live recording of Between Two Flakes, bringing together the Avalanche Hour, Delivering Adventure, and Utah Avalanche Center podcasts for an evening of storytelling and oral history from the avalanche profession around the world. And that’s just day one! by @avyinstitute
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16 days ago
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27 years of ISSW, and Dave “Grom” Richards is still finding plenty to dig into. At this year’s workshop in Whistler, Grom is diving into research on snowpack failure and propagation, including super shear, while continuing his work exploring the human factors that shape decision making in avalanche terrain. He’s also presenting psychology focused research on how we report and learn from avalanche accidents, and how that information can influence behavior and safety moving forward. There’s a lot happening at ISSW this week, and we’re excited to share more from the AAI team in Whistler. by @avyinstitute
8
16 days ago
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ISSW 2026 is underway in Whistler! We caught up with AAI’s Drew Gibson on the first day of the International Snow Science Workshop to hear what’s catching his attention, from new technology and data organization for highway forecasting to the latest research being shared across the snow science community. Drew is also co-authoring two papers being presented this week, including a case study on using UAS technology for avalanche rescue and a case study examining a prolonged avalanche burial that resulted in survival. Stay tuned for more from the AAI crew in Whistler as the week continues. by @avyinstitute
1
17 days ago
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Follow the team at the International Snow Science Workshop in Whistler. Here’s a quick check in from our Avalanche Program Director as we get ready for an exciting week ahead! taken in Whistler, Canada by @avyinstitute
4
17 days ago
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