Professional Decision-Making
In order to develop effective avalanche safety programs it is of crucial importance to have a clear understanding of the current decision-making processes and behaviours. This study aims to improve our understanding of professional decision-making in avalanche terrain and compare it to the decision preferences of amateurs. The decision process is examined with a sophisticated online discrete choice experiment and true decisions are tracked with GPS devices.
Supporters: HeliCat Canada, Canadian Avalanche Association, Backcountry Lodge Operators of BC Association
return to top of page

CAIS Project
The success of the InfoEx© program of the Canadian Avalanche Association is a clear indicator of the importance of information exchange for avalanche safety programs. The goal of this project is the development of a comprehensive and efficient industry-wide data system for the exchange of avalanche related information in Canada.
The primary responsibilities of Avisualanche Consulting in this project are system design, the development of the information exchange standard CAAML and the creation of related XSLT transformations for the production of text reports and graphic visualisations of avalanche data.
Client: Canadian Avalanche Association
return to top of page

ADFAR Project
This three-year project was launched in 2004 by the Canadian Avalanche Association in response to the tragic avalanche accidents during the winter of 2003. The focus of the project was to examine the decision-making process in avalanche terrain and to develop and appropriate risk communication tools. The outcome of the project, the Avaluator, is a practical, science-based decision framework for amateur recreationists when planning for or traveling in avalanche terrain. Click here to learn more about the Avaluator.
Avisualanche Consulting was responsible for the overall project management and was also closely involved in various related research projects.
Client: Canadian Avalanche Association
return to top of page

Heliski GIS Applications
The technology of modern Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has incredible potential for increasing the effectiveness of information exchange among avalanche safety programs. However, the remoteness of many operations and the often anecdotal character of the information shared provide significant challenges for the design of a useful GIS system.
Avisualanche Consulting designed a comprehensive Geodatabase to interface with an existing database system for a heliski company with 12 individual operations. In addition, Avisualanche Consulting developed analysis tools and data visualisations for operational decision-making and long-term land management planning.
Client: Canadian Mountain Holidays
return to top of page