Frequently Asked Questions
Find the answers to some of your questions:
*NEW ARTICLES as of Jan 2009
Zac’s Tracs Avalanche Training programs
Who are Zac’s Tracs and why should I choose them?
What types of courses does Zac’s Tracs offer?
What is the CAC Outreach Seminar?
What locations do Zac’s teach in?
*I just ride in high traffic areas, do I need avalanche training?
How do I contact a Zac’s Tracs representative for more information?-
Do I qualify for a discount?
What do we need to bring on the field day?
What about the weather?
*We have taken an AST 1 course. What’s next?
What can I expect in the AST 2 advanced class?
What do I need to know to HOST a course?
Snowpack
What are PWLs? Persistent Weak Layers?
Solar Aspects – to avoid or not?
The Spooky Snowpack – Dec 2008
Snow Conditions and Riding Areas
Avalanche Resources
Where do I find a current Public Avalanche Bulletin?
What is the AVALUATOR?
How to use the AVALUATOR Trip Planner
Are there obvious clues that can alert me to dangerous situations?
*Should I buy an avalanche air bag?
*Rescue Resources
Emergency Communication Tools
Equipment Rentals
Where can I find avalanche related news stories?
How do they keep the highways safe? They keep Rick Mercer far, far away!
Avalanche Accidents or News
What is it like to be fully buried in an avalanche?
What is it like to be caught or help in a rescue?
What are early season instabilities like?
Why do people react so differently during an avalanche rescue?
What does a slab avalanche look like in motion?
Record snowmobile fatalities 2008-09…were there similarities in the terrain?
Rest in Peace Albert
But they were experienced…why did they get caught?
*Where can I find archived Zac’s Tracs Newsletters?
*Support Your Sport
Zac's Picks for Avy and Backcountry Survival Gear
Following many requests from our students, Zac’s has started to carry a selection of avalanche airbags, avalanche rescue tools and backcountry survival gear. We’ve chosen carefully, from a variety of manufacturers, 30 pieces of gear that we believe are useful, reliable and fairly priced.
If you are curious about Zac’s favorites, drop us a quick email and we will shoot you a product list.
Add a Zac’s Tracs cap to your order.
The proceeds from the sale of these ball caps and the donations generously contributed from many of our students this season will be presented to the Canadian Avalanche Centre at the spring AGM to be used to support Snowmobile Specific safety resources.
Not sure if you’re packing the right avy gear?
CLICK HERE to view Essential Gear
Check out the recommendations from the Canadian Avalanche Centre in their new GEAR section on their website.
CLICK HERE to see if your gear is OBSOLETE.
More importantly are your riding partners carrying Obsolete Gear?
Never forget….their gear is to locate you!! Always be certain that your companions are packing the best tools and know how to use them! Test them on a regular basis.
Over the summer we plan to add to the emergency and survival items that we carry. Give us your feedback on high quality items that you have discovered during your miles in the backcountry. Share with us your opinions on brands and models of highly reliable, well priced gear.
Rescue Resources
During our avalanche rescue training sessions we discuss the complexities of arranging for professional assistance: avalanche search, medical, air or ground transportation, or personal or equipment evacuation.
Follow this link to print off a Trip plan that you can use create a solid action plan should any type of emergency arise during your riding day.
Think ahead and gather important resources and contact numbers. Efficient actions can save lives.
Sample Trip Plan Form
A good procedure is to contact the RCMP first. They can respond or they will transfer the incident to the local Search and Rescue organization. In any case a task number (file number) is needed before any organization has the authority to respond.
CLICK HERE to review the webpage that lists BC RCMP numbers.
FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF ALL RESOURCES FOR THE MOUNTAIN AREAS OF ALBERTA AND BRITISH COLUMBIA CHECK OUT THIS RESCUE RESOURCE GUIDE ASSEMBLED BY THE CAA.
HELICOPTER COMPANIES AND SNOWMOBILE CLUBS ARE ALSO LISTED.
CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE for the CAA Rescue Resource List
This is a 3 Megabyte file. It may take some time to download.
More snowmobilers are carrying satellite phones. 911 does not work from a satellite phone. Consider carrying local detachment numbers for the communities that you typically ride in.
SPOT – Satellite Personal Tracker – The video clips available on the website are great.
For more information please go to the SPOT Website
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For more information related to communication devices CLICK HERE.
I would appreciate your feedback if any of my assumptions and suggestions could be improved. Feel free to EMAIL me by CLICKING ON THIS LINK.
Snow Conditions and Riding Areas
Feel free to Email Zac’s favorite links that you use each season. I would like to post resources that are valuable for Western Canadian snowmobilers. Thanks!
Avalanche Conditions
Canadian Avalanche Centre – Public Avalanche BulletinsCanadian Avalanche Centre – Discussion Forums
Weather Forecasts
The Weather NetworkCanadian Avalanche Centre links to Text based Weather Forecasts
Canadian Avalanche Centre links to Weather Images
Snow Conditions
CLICK on the images below to be taken to the websites.
RECOGNIZE THAT THESE ARE SNOW CONDITIONS LINKS AND THEY ARE NOT AVALANCHE CONDITION REPORTS
Golden, BC
Website: www.snowmobilegolden.com
Website: www.goldensnowmobilerentals.com/
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Valemount, BC
Tony Parisi, with the Snowfarmers from Valemount, posts great reports and awesome pictures.
Website: www.snowfarmers.com
Terracana Ranch Resort
Website: http://www.terracana.com/SnowConditions.htm
VARDA – Valemount and Area Recreation
Website: www.valemount.org/varda/
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Revelstoke, BC
Powder Pete’s
Website: www.powderpetes.com/October15.html
Sled Revelstoke Society
Website: www.sledrevelstoke.com/snow.htm
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Riding Areas
Golden, BChttp://www.snowpeakrentals.com/area.php
Equipment Rentals
Sled Rentals
Here are a few options for rental sleds in the communities that Zac’s Tracs runs avalanche field sessions. Please forward to me contact info for other companies that I have not listed. Thanks!Golden, BC
Rocky Mountain Riders
Snowmobile Tours and Rentals
Golden B.C.
1-250-439-8156
Toll Free 1-877-950-SLED (7533)
luke@rockymountainriders.com
www.rockymountainriders.com
Golden Snowmobile Rentals
Phone: (250) 344-8175
Email: info@goldensnowmobilerentals.com
Website: www.goldensnowmobilerentals.com
Snowpeaks Rentals
Phone: (250) 344-8385
Toll Free: 1-888-512-4222
1416 Golden View Road, Golden, BC
Email: Click HERE
Website: www.snowpeakrentals.com
Valemount, BC
Alpine Country Sales and RentalsPhone: (250) 566-9774
Website: www.alpinecountryrentals.com
Revelstoke, BC
Powder Pete’s Recreational RentalsPhone: 250-837-7056, Cellular 250-814-9497
Toll Free: 1-866-941 PETE (7383)
Email: powderpetes@hotmail.com
Website: www.powderpetes.com/
Glacier House Resort
679 Westsyde Road, Revelstoke, BC, Canada V0E 2S0
Phone: (250) 837-9594
Toll Free: 1-877-837-9594
Email: info@GlacierHouse.com
Website: www.glacierhouse.com
Avalanche Air Bag Rentals
Avalanche Safety SolutionsContact Chuck
Phone: 1-250-344-5060
Toll Free: 1-888-742-8769
Email: info@avalanchesafety.ca
Website: www.avalanchesafety.ca
Check out their new store in Golden!
917 10th Ave N, Golden, BC V0A 1H0
SnowPulse Air Bag sales and rentals
Mammut Dealer – Barryvox PULSE
Brown’s Leisure World
Hwy 10 E, Yorkton, SK S3N 0A1
Phone: (306) 783-8933
Email: brownsleisure@sasktel.net
Website: www.brownsleisureworld.com
SnowPulse Air Bag sales and rentals
Mammut Dealer – Barryvox PULSE
Avalanche Beacon Rentals
Many companies rent beacons, probes, and shovels. Please check with all of the rental companies listed in this article.Outdoor Equipment Rentals
University of Calgary Outdoor Centre Program Rentals2500 University Drive N.W., Calgary, AB
Phone: (403) 220-5038
Email: outdoor@ucalgary.ca
Website: www.calgaryoutdoorcentre.ca/gear_rentals
Full selection of gear including: avalanche safety, navigation tools, clothing, camping supplies as well as backcountry skiing and other summer and winter sports equipment. Reasonably priced.
But they were experienced...
Every year I hear about avalanche deaths and you don’t hear much detail after as to why it happened but the media will give bits of info like “they were experienced” or “they knew the area well”....
As a novice mountain rider who sticks the the main areas of the mountains do I really need to worry or is the real worry only for the ones who head to the virgin and unmarked slopes?
Ryan R., St Albert, AB
Everyone in the backcountry needs Avalanche Training. Avalanche safety is about choices and timing and without training people often don’t recognize when they are in risky situations, what choices are available and how to read the signs and gather reliable information.
It is not enough for a couple of your group members to have some training. THE ENTIRE PARTY should be well trained. This leads to a cohesive group that can confidently count on their friends to add valuable observations to the group decisions and make sound choices to prevent and minimize any potential accidents.
Many marked snowmobile trails pass through avalanche paths. True, the high traffic areas are typically less prone to avalanching, but no guarantees. Avalanche hazard is about slope characteristics but a major factor is the season’s weather and therefore each year the snowpack and the hazards are unique.
Monitor Creek Avalanche – CAC Archives
Mountain experience is very different from avalanche experience. This is a fine point that is sometimes missed. Many responsible sledders are carrying great gear related to survival, first aid, communication, navigation, mechanics as well as avalanche equipment. They are prepared for a variety of backcountry surprises and have likely gained much respect as they have bailed out many less equipped and experienced riders throughout the years.
Zac’s Tracs
Years of riding in the backcountry may make a untrained rider familiar with the ‘frequent flyers’; hills that often slide with weather changes. But, this is only one small aspect. Riding with ‘avalanche eyes’ can make visible many Stop signs and Caution signs that otherwise would have gone unnoticed.
People can say…”this slope never avalanches” and perhaps in their personal experience they may not have noticed any activity, however the better questions to ask are:
- What is unusual in our weather this season?
- What weather is forecast?
- Will this combination lead to safe or dangerous conditions?
Decisions can be made based on probability and consequence. To do this we need to be able to visualize why the snowpack is weak so that we can understand where these conditions exist.
Reading a Public Avalanche Bulletin (PAB) is key. However it is more than noting the COLOR of the hazard rating. If you are basing your riding decision on ‘orange’ or ‘Considerable’ than you need to ride very conservatively and simply avoid all avalanche terrain because the definition of Considerable means that ‘human triggering is probable’. This is like crossing the street with a blindfold on.
CLICK HERE to view the definitions of the hazard scale.
(This scale should be memorized. Our classroom sessions look at current conditions and run case studies using the PAB and the AVALUATOR to help riders become comfortable with the system. We hand out ‘Danger Scale Cards at our courses and at tradeshows. Keep one handy by the computer or in the truck.)
If you read the TEXT of the bulletin, now all of a sudden you are feeding your mind with the reasoning behind the rating and the EXTENT of the terrain that is affected by the bulletin rating. CHOICES ARE THE KEY TO STAYING SAFE. Get the training and take the blindfold off.
CLICK HERE to view hints for reading the PAB
Considerable, due to ‘wind slabs in the alpine’ may lead to 20% of the terrain that you wanted to play in being high hazard
****HOWEVER****
Considerable, due to ‘basal facets and depth hoar on all aspects and elevations’ may lead to 70% of the terrain that you wanted to play in being high hazard. In these types of conditions you are not even advised to be on the flats below avalanche slopes.
SAME RATING WITH A MAJOR DIFFERENCE IN TRAVEL HABITS AND CAUTION REQUIRED. Please look deeper than the colored rating.
CLICK HERE to review the spooky snowpack for 2008-09.
Avalanche courses give you the understanding of the snowpack changes and the appreciation for terrain to make informed decisions. Using a system like the AVALUATOR can help you make these decisions right from home…rather than sitting under the big slope wondering if today is the day.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the AVALUATOR
One of the biggest factors in my mind is consequence. Even a slope with a low likelihood of avalanching may be one to avoid, simply because the consequences of underestimating the probability would be unsurvivable.
Monitor Creek Avalanche – CAC Archives
- Learn about 8 killer terrain features responsible for most fatalities.
- Learn about Simple, Challenging, and Complex terrain.
- What features are significant in these ratings?
- What type of terrain are you currently riding in?
This can be quite an eye-opener for some.
What I like to say is “you don’t know what you don’t know”. This is why I am constantly taking advantage of any training course that I can afford to attend. Even if I learn one new thing, this may make the difference for me some day. Two people or riding groups can be faced with the same situation, however the outcomes will be entirely different as the reactions and decisions made by each group will be guided by their unique mix of knowledge, experience, resources and group dynamics.
I never want to say ‘if only I would have known that before…..’
When it is too late….it is too late.
For those guys that say that they are ‘experienced’ ask them how many hours of mountain based hands-on formal training that they have received. This will give you an idea of the depth of the info that they may have been exposed to. Then the question becomes…how much of this training have they put into practice? Similar to any learning, if you don’t apply it you lose it.
Zac’s Tracs image
Right now I have many past students that I would love to see re-attend a refresher course. Many techniques and resources have changed over the years and one can never participate in enough scenarios. There are always fine points to learn and improve. There are discounts for Refresher Courses for Zac’s Tracs past students.
CLICK HERE to see if you qualify for a discount.
Evening and classroom sessions are really not enough. It is the field session that brings everything together. Actually seeing weak and strong snow, watching failures triggered during snowpack tests, running your group through rescue scenarios, and practicing solid group management habits gives you experiences that you can draw from during each of your riding days.
Zac’s Tracs image
We are not born with common sense….it is learned. Training gives you more tools in your avalanche safety tool kit and helps you recognize which tool is key for which situation.
There is no multi-tool that solves all situations.
Training is one tool. Layer it with the gear, good travel habits, group management techniques, and systematic decision making.
CLICK HERE to view ‘A Dozen More Turns’
This is a free, on-line video that documents a tragic avalanche with highly trained backcountry recreationalists. The story successfully captures the decisions that led to the accident and the survivor’s suggestions on how this could have been prevented.
Yes, even with all the precautions accidents can still happen and this is true in all activities in life. This is no reason to dismiss training and preparedness.
Better your odds and get your riding group trained this season.
CLICK HERE for upcoming courses.
READ COMMENTS submitted by past participants of Zac’s Tracs programs.
Sign up for Zac’s Tracs monthly Newsletters
To keep in touch with snowmobile specific avalanche safety information sign up to receive newsletters from Zac’s Tracs.CLICK HERE to view our most recent mailings.
The newsletters are FREE and are packed with information gathered by snowmobilers for snowmobilers.
AST 2
AST 2 (Advanced Recreational Avalanche Class)
The AST 2 will test your skills to gather quality data, improve your interpretation skills and highlight opportunities to make better choices regarding route selection and group management. Rescue skills will honed through multiple scenarios and a stronger emphasis on teamwork and foundational search techniques than the AST2. Prepare to be challenged!40 hour minimum
10 students minimum – must be signed up before Nov 10, 2010
12 students maximum
OPTION #1 – Valemount, BC
Dec 18-19, 2010 & Jan 22-23, 2011
OPTION #2 – Grande Prairie, AB
Early – February, 2011
Practical Field Session Meeting Time – Kakwa
February, 2011
Follow this link for the AST2 course outline set by the Canadian Avalanche Centre.
Recommended field equipment (this can be pre-order from Zac’s Tracs or purchased online or at a mountain shop)
- Inclinometer card ~ $10-$20
(or a compass with an inclinometer feature ~$60) - Snow screen ~ $12-$20
- Loupe (magnifier) ~$10-15
- Folding Ruler – 2 m ~$20
- field book (write in the rain paper) ~$15-$30
- pencils
- FULL SNOWSTUDY KIT ~ $130 (SEAR 2008 pricing, see link below)
Follow this link to the website for SEAR Search & Rescue Equipment.
www3.telus.net/sear Call Garry Walton for info & to order 250-707-0063
MEC and other mountain shops may carry this equipment also.
Recommended Preparation
Ask yourself a few questions:
- Did your previous avalanche training include a hands-on component? AST1 or RAC ?
- How long ago? The research, curriculum and avalanche equipment is constantly changing. Is your introductory training up to date?
- How much have you ‘used’ your avy training since?
What I mean is have you ever dug a pit outside of the course?
Do you make conscious decisions related to route finding?
Do you use the CAC Avalanche Bulletin and do you understand the majority of it? - Have you ever heard of the AVALUATOR? This is a new decision making tool that is endorsed by the CAC for recreational backcountry use. You must have working knowledge of the PAB scale and the ATES scale (Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale).
It is recommended that interested participants feel confident about the material in the ‘Sledding in Avalanche Terrain’ AST1 course manual.
It is recommended to read ‘Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain’ by Bruce Tremper.
Personal experience digging snowpits (other than in your AST1 course) will allow you to take your introductory skills to a new level.
I have included all of these questions to help you determine the best investment: a refresher of an AST1 or to move up to the AST2.
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What can I expect in the AST 2 advanced class?
AST 2 (Advanced Recreational Avalanche Class)
40 hour minimum14 students maximum
Theory Meeting Time – Grande Prairie, AB
February 3-4 and Feb 9, 2010
5:30pm Doors open
6:00pm – 10:30pm Class
Practical Field Session Meeting Time – Kakwa
February 6,7,8, 2010
Follow this link for the AST2 course outline set by the Canadian Avalanche Centre.
Recommended field equipment (this can be pre-order from Zac’s Tracs or purchased online or at a mountain shop)
- Inclinometer card ~ $10-$20
(or a compass with an inclinometer feature ~$60) - Snow screen ~ $12-$20
- Loupe (magnifier) ~$10-15
- Folding Ruler – 2 m ~$20
- field book (write in the rain paper) ~$15-$30
- pencils
- FULL SNOWSTUDY KIT ~ $130 (SEAR 2008 pricing, see link below)
Follow this link to the website for SEAR Search & Rescue Equipment.
www3.telus.net/sear Call Garry Walton for info & to order 250-707-0063
MEC and other mountain shops may carry this equipment also.
Recommended Preparation
Ask yourself a few questions:
- Did your previous avalanche training include a hands-on component? AST1 or RAC ?
- How long ago? The research, curriculum and avalanche equipment is constantly changing. Is your introductory training up to date?
- How much have you ‘used’ your avy training since?
What I mean is have you ever dug a pit outside of the course?
Do you make conscious decisions related to route finding?
Do you use the CAC Avalanche Bulletin and do you understand the majority of it? - Have you ever heard of the AVALUATOR? This is a new decision making tool that is endorsed by the CAC for recreational backcountry use. You must have working knowledge of the PAB scale and the ATES scale (Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale).
It is recommended that interested participants feel confident about the material in the ‘Sledding in Avalanche Terrain’ AST1 course manual.
It is recommended to read ‘Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain’ by Bruce Tremper.
Personal experience digging snowpits (other than in your AST1 course) will allow you to take your introductory skills to a new level.
I have included all of these questions to help you determine the best investment: a refresher of an AST1 or to move up to the AST2.
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We have taken the AST1. What's next?
We have all taken the AST Level 1 course with you. Do you offer another course on top of that one to be more prepared?
Todd, Calgary, AB
Although an Introductory Avalanche Course like the AST1 is a great start, you are right that there is more to learn about staying safe in avalanche terrain. The knowledge is good, but it is the application that makes the difference. Interactive classroom sessions help participants grasp ‘how to use’ the knowledge and skills. These discussions bring out the different points of view and draw from the unique experiences of the classroom participants. Each avalanche course that we run is unique and this keeps me keen as I learn something new each time I teach the program. Each story is unique and leads to a ‘new tool in the safety toolbox’.
We have changed the AST1 classroom session so much (considerably more group work is included now) that I would encourage you to consider retaking the classroom session.
Your group can build on the knowledge and experiences that you already have. Even hearing the same information for a second time is worth the investment as your level of understanding will increase each time that you are exposed to the material. Learning is often about seeing patterns. Viewing the same info from different angles helps you discover how each condition, decision and action relate to each other.
Keep reading Zac’s Tracs newsletters.
CLICK HERE to follow this link for the archived newsletters in case you may have missed any.
Follow through with the links in the newsletter articles when you can. There are many websites with awesome articles and discussions. **Be sure to email me with the links to other websites that you enjoy. I will link our sites if possible. This will help everyone stay informed.
Another recommendation it to check into the discounts for past Zac’s students to re-attend the AST1 field sessions.
CLICK HERE to be redirected
You can never complete enough rescue scenarios. Although this is the most common question, it really isn’t about ‘what’s the best beacon’. It is about ‘which beacon are you most practiced using’? Your level of familiarity with the technology will boost your search skills as your mind can focus on all the other important tasks in a rescue if your beacon skills are automatic.
This is the link for the AST 2 course curriculum as set by the CAC.
http://avalanche.ca/cac/training/ast/ast-2
Another worthwhile article to read is:
What to expect in an AST2 class
Zac’s Tracs is hosting an AST2 program in Grande Prairie, AB from Deb 3-10. For details please go to
For sledders from other communities we recommend Avalanche Safety Solutions of Golden, BC.
There is a 10% discount to students of Zac’s Tracs that register for the AST2 classes lead by Avalanche Safety Solutions.
Follow this link: http://zacstracs.com/Course-Details/187/ast2-chuckgorton
If you are interested in this type of training please email Zac’s so that we can gauge the interest and create future schedules around the communities that are most interested. zacstracs@gmail.com
Good books are available from the Canadian Avalanche Centre:
“Sledding in Avalanche Terrain” AST1 course manual – 2006 revision – Bruce Jamieson, Darcy Svederus, Lori Zacaruk
“Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain” – Bruce Tremper
To order call the CAA at 1250-837-2435
How to use the AVALUATOR Trip Planner
In order to use the Trip Planner of the AVALUATOR properly we need two pieces of information: the avalanche danger rating and a terrain rating.
To obtain the Avalanche Danger Rating we need to obtain the Public Avalanche Bulletin and choose the hazard rating of the elevation band and day that we wish to travel on. NOTE that if we are traveling below tree-line and our choice is challenging or complex terrain then we must choose the highest level of predicted avalanche danger. i.e. if danger is rated as Considerable, Considerable, Moderate we would need to use Considerable as the highest rating of danger even though the below tree line rating is only moderate. The assumption is that most challenging and complex avalanche terrain has exposure to upper elevations.
Next we need the Terrain Ratings for the areas that we plan to ride. Some of the snowmobile areas have been professionally rated. This means that pockets of some riding areas have been labeled as Simple, Challenging, or Complex Avalanche Hazard.
Click HERE to go to the On-Line Trip Planning Tool. If you indicate that your activity is ‘snowmobile riding’ the chart below will open up with all the riding areas that have been rated for the Bulletin Region that you have selected.
BE SURE TO CLICK ON THE SUB-REGION AS IT WILL ‘UNLOCK’ THE TERRAIN RATINGS
I cut and pasted all these terrain ratings to create an Excel spreadsheet. Click HERE to download this file.
Click HERE for more info and to be redirected to the Canadian Avalanche Centre website.
