The development of effective avalanche accident prevention initiatives requires a good quantitative knowledge of avalanche risks, how different factors affecting it and an understanding of how low the level of risk is that we are willing to accept. Critical questions to know include ‘What is the risk of being involved in an avalanche accident per day of backcountry activity?’, ‘How effective are existing avalanche risk management approaches?’, ”Are there particular pattern in avalanche accidents that offer hints for developing targeted prevention initiatives?’, and ‘What is giving us the biggest bang for the buck for reducing avalanche fatalities?’.
Our objective in this research area is to objectively quantify the risk involved in travel in avalanche terrain and contribute to the knowledge for making evidence-based decision on avalanche safety initiatives.
