Encouraging outdoor enthusiasts to explore training opportunities, learn how to make good decisions and stay safe is the focus of Avalanche Awareness Days this weekend.

Taking place Jan. 18-19, 2014, Avalanche Awareness Days celebrate avalanche safety expertise and provide an opportunity for people to learn how to safely enjoy the winter backcountry with education and training.

Organized by local volunteer groups and supported by the Canadian Avalanche Centre, events are taking place around British Columbia in communities such as Fernie, North Vancouver, Revelstoke and Terrace to name a few. For a complete list of avalanche awareness events and partner organizations, visit: http://www.avalanche.ca/cac/events/avalanche-awareness-days/community-listing

Quotes:

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton -

"More and more people are heading into the backcountry to enjoy winter sports like skiing, snowmobiling and snow shoeing; but as we saw over the holidays, as the number of people in the backcountry increases so do search and rescues undertaken by volunteers. Avalanche Awareness Days are a great opportunity for people to talk to backcountry safety experts and learn how to stay safe during winter recreation."

Gilles Valade, executive director of the Canadian Avalanche Centre -

"When you make the decision to go into the backcountry, you need to be able to take care of yourself and your partners. That means avalanche rescue equipment, first aid supplies and awareness of the risk you're taking."

Quick Facts:

• According to reports filed with Emergency Management BC, during two weeks of winter holidays the number of search and rescue incidents related to winter recreation activities more than tripled compared to the two previous weeks.
• Between Dec. 23, 2013 and Jan. 5, 2014, 298 search and rescue volunteers responded to 34 incidents involving 70 people engaged in winter recreational activities in the backcountry. This compares to 66 search and rescue volunteers responding to 10 incidents involving 18 people between Dec. 9 and 22, 2013.
• It is important that those who venture out-of-bounds take all the necessary precautions and that all recreation enthusiasts who choose to do so recognize they are taking some measure of personal risk.
• There are a number of ways to respect the mountains and prepare before heading out. Everyone in a backcountry party needs to be equipped with a shovel, probe and transceiver. More information on safety equipment is available at: www.youtube.com/user/emergencyinfobc
• The CAC strongly recommends all backcountry users take an avalanche awareness course. A list of instructors and courses can be found at: www.avalanche.ca/training
• Snowpack stability changes constantly throughout the winter. Backcountry users need to check the avalanche bulletin regularly to keep informed of conditions in their area. Get the most recent bulletin and weather forecasts at: www.avalanche.ca/cac/bulletins/latest
• Planning ahead is a must - before you head outdoors be sure to leave a trip plan with family or friends and then stick to that plan. For a printable copy of a trip plan visit: www.adventuresmart.ca/trip_safety/planning.htm

Learn More:

More detailed information is also available on the CAC forecaster's blog. For the bulletins, blog and information on training, check: www.avalanche.ca/cac

For tips on how to stay safe, follow Emergency Management BC on Twitter at @EmergencyPrepBC and the CAC at @avalancheca.

Read the latest Emergency Mommy blog post to learn how the CAC is working to reach youth and make backcountry safety cool at: http://www.bcbsides.ca/backcountry-behaviour-avalanche-awareness/

For backcountry essentials and avalanche awareness information, go to: www.adventuresmart.ca/snow/avalanche.htm

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 213-3602