In this episode, guest host Sean ZImmerman Wall sits down with Hector Silva Peralta. Hector is an ACMG Apprentice Ski guide based in Chile, living the endless winter between Chile, Canada and Alaska. Héctor grew up in the mountains , close to portillo ski resort, where he started skiing at a very young age. His longtime commitment to the heli-ski, backcountry skiing, and avalanche industries has given him the opportunity to spend the last 6 years training in professional environments and continu...
Mar 15, 2022•1 hr 6 min
In episode 6.16, I sit down with Frank Carus. The (now) former director of the Mount Washington Avalanche center talks about his career and experiences working in the presidential range of the White Mountains in New Hampshire. The MWAC is one of two US National Forest Avalanche Centers that hold the responsibility of responding to rescues within their forecast area. Frank recounts a couple unfortunate avalanche accidents that have some lessons for us all. Music on this episode was created by Age...
Mar 01, 2022•1 hr 16 min
It’s time for another episode of the Austrian Association for Snow and Avalanches @oegsl. Guest hosts Matthias Walcher and Anna Heuberger chat with the “Wayne Gretzky of guiding” RUDI KRANABITTER - an Austrian mountain guide who spent many years working in Canada and became an honorary member of the ACMG, as well as ALBERT LEICHTFRIED, meteorologist, ex-pro ice climber, mountain guide and technical director of the Austrian mountain guides training program. What are the differences between Canada...
Feb 24, 2022•1 hr 32 min
Episode 6.14 Avalanche Control 101: techniques and technology used in the North American avalanche industry Have you ever wondered what exactly are RACS? What is a Wyssen tower, or a Gazex exploder? What on earth is a Daisy Bell or an O’Bellx? In this episode guest host Dom Baker sits down with a panel of Canadian avalanche professionals to talk through many of the common methods of avalanche control. Joining Dom are Mark Vesely, Robb Andersen and Val Visotzky, who bring with them a wealth of ex...
Feb 15, 2022•1 hr 14 min
This episode features Peter Barsevskis. Peter is a pro patroller at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and lives in Golden BC. Peter is working through his Masters degree in Environmental Science at Thompson Rivers University. His research is focused on snow and avalanche mechanics with a tool called the Blade Hardness Gauge. Tune in to hear more about Peter’s project. A summary of his research: "The blade hardness gauge (BHG) is a promising new technology for avalanche forecasters and recreational b...
Feb 01, 2022•52 min
In this episode, Kelly Mcneil sits down with Liz RIggs Meder. Liz is the recreation program director for the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE). Liz shares with us some thoughts and advice around risk management instruction, the role of public health in avalanche education and what that might look like in the future. We also dive into some important topics speaking to inclusion specific avalanche education. We hope you enjoy this episode! Music by Age Diamante.
Jan 27, 2022•39 min
In this installment of The Avalanche Hour Podcast; Wes Gregg sits down on a Zoom call with the owner/operator of Kootenay Backcountry Guides, Judson Wright! Judson is the lead guide of Kootenay Backcountry Guides. After finishing high school in Ontario, Judson moved to the Kootenays and started his backcountry journey. While learning to ski tour in the Whitewater and Kootenay Pass backcountry, the seeds of an idea to bring a local ski guiding operation to the Kootenays were planted in his head. ...
Jan 15, 2022•1 hr 14 min
In Episode 6.10, I sit down with Travis Feist. Travis is a pro observer for the Sierra Avalanche Center, longtime avalanche educator, ski guide, and former ski patroller. He splits his time between his skis and his sled, and talks about how his approach to heading out for a day on his sled may differ from a day of ski touring. An all around great conversation that is rounded out with a story of a lesson learned by Travis. braaap. Music on this track is by Age Diamante.
Dec 30, 2021•52 min
Show Notes: Eeva and I met through our work with the American Avalanche Association and have spent many seasons working through ways to improve the educational landscape in the US. Her tireless efforts, unique skillset, and overall amazing demeanor inspire me as an educator. For this conversation, we talk about things not directly related to avalanche education, but instead focus on the state of the avalanche community in various areas, how to support each other’s mental health, and share a few ...
Dec 23, 2021•1 hr 13 min
Time for another look to the other side of the Atlantic- the Alps. This third episode by the Austrian Avalanche Association starts off with avalanche forecasters Matthias Walcher and Christoph Mitterer chatting about a challenging early season snowpack concerning most of the Eastern Alps. With a persistent weak layer close to ground, strong winds, significant loading and ski resorts still partially closed due to a nation wide lockdown, Austria already claims 4 tragic avalanche fatalities. The se...
Dec 15, 2021•1 hr
I caught up with Tom Carter at his home in Lake Tahoe earlier this fall. Tom shares some of his experiences and lessons learned in the mountains. From his early days climbing in the Yosemite valley to exploring snow capped mountains of the Sierra to 30 years of heli ski guiding in the Ruby Mountains, Tom has found joy in all of his adventures. You'll be sure to like this one. Music by Age Diamante @agediamante
Dec 01, 2021•1 hr 17 min
Three experienced women from the Canadian Avalanche industry sit down with guest host Dom Baker for a conversation about parenting and motherhood as an avalanche worker. Lisa Paulson is an ACMG mountain guide – the 8th female fully accredited ACMG mountain guide in Canada. She works as a Visitor Safety Specialist for Parks Canada, doing technical rescue as well as highway and public avalanche forecasting. When time allows, she guides both mechanized skiing and ski touring, as well as teaches bot...
Nov 25, 2021•1 hr 10 min
Lel Tone sits down and talks about her time spent in the snow and avalanche industry working as a ski patroller, heli ski guide, avalanche forecaster, and educator. She gives an honest perspective to both the highs and the lows that is the reality of her line of work. Lel talks about what her days look like avalanche forecasting for the railroad out of Truckee California, some lessons learned from many days guiding out of the helicopter in Alaska, and reflections of early morning avalanche mitig...
Nov 15, 2021•1 hr 10 min
Episode 6.4 features IFMGA guide Martin Volken. Martin shares his story of becoming a guide service and gear shop owner. Martin talks about what goes into co-authoring several books. He explains a matrix to weigh the likelihood versus consequences of a given hazard that he utilizes when guiding in the mountains. Enjoy the show. Music by @agediamante
Nov 01, 2021•1 hr 29 min
In this instalment of The Avalanche Hour Podcast; I sit down on a Zoom call with the one and only Captain CAPOW, Marty Schaffer! He may be the most stoked individual you’ll ever meet. It’s contagious and he’ll probably bring the best out of you. It has always been Marty’s vision to bring together industry professionals and the recreational enthusiast for an approachable, educational good time in the mountains. Marty and I discuss his history, vision, and the future of Avalanche Education. Please...
Oct 21, 2021•1 hr 11 min
We start out this episode with an introduction of the new A3 executive director, Jayne Nolan. Jayne stops by and we chat about her background, the state of the A3, and some of the hopes for the future of the organization. This episode features Alexis Alloway. Alexis has spent two decades working as a professional educator in both classroom and field-based settings. She has taught avalanche courses since 2006 for diverse organizations including NOLS, the Northwest Avalanche Center, Friends of the...
Oct 15, 2021•1 hr 17 min
Welcome back to another season of The Avalanche Hour Podcast. We kick off season 6 with a great conversation with Zahan Billimoria. Steep lines, deep snow, and the wilderness experience define Zahan Billimoria’s life. Over the past 20 years, Z has pursued international expeditions, competed in world championship endurance events, stood on podiums, and bagged first descents—all fueled by his passion for human-powered adventure. His career highlights include multiple ski descents of the Grand Teto...
Oct 01, 2021•1 hr 6 min
Tune in to hear some exciting updates to The Avalanche Hour Podcast for the upcoming season. Link to Wyssen USA Education Scholarship Application. DUE OCT. 15!! https://forms.gle/TSjtTfDzdztmc9UL7 Music by Ketsa
Sep 25, 2021•14 min
On this, the final, Third Thursday and Podcast episode of the 20/21 season Wes Gregg has a conversation with PHD candidate Rachel Reimer. Rachel is a Revelstoke-based skier, Co-Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee for the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, and a researcher who studies inclusion in mountain-based professions. She shares insights from her studies and lived experience as a skier on inclusion, risk management, and decision making in the backcountry environment. Links...
Jun 17, 2021•1 hr 4 min
In this episode of The Avalanche Hour Podcast, Dom Baker has a conversation with Grant Statham. Grant is a Visitor Safety Specialist with Parks Canada based in Banff, Alberta. Starting at 17 years old as a climber and ski patroller, Grant quickly became an ACMG/IFMGA mountain guide by age 24 and since then has pursued a 30-year career in mountain and ski guiding, avalanche forecasting and mountain rescue. Grant’s study of risk has led to the development of many of the avalanche risk management s...
Jun 07, 2021•1 hr 18 min
In this episode, Caleb interviews Knox Williams. Knox was a co-founder of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, and remained the director until retirement in 2005. We talk about the early days for the CAIC, as well as changes and challenges over time. Knox recounts some highlights of a long and successful career working with snow, avalanches, and people. Music by Ketsa.
Jun 01, 2021•1 hr 3 min
In this instalment of The Avalanche Hour’s Third Thursday; I sit down on a Zoom call with self proclaimed ski bum, Kevin Hjertaas. Kevin had a short, unremarkable career as a ski patroller and a stint as a middling professional skier. He was a passable ski coach for a time and a tolerable ski journalist some years ago. In a completely predictable move, he became a ski guide and started M-T-N Guiding. Is how Kevin describes himself in a very humble manner. A quick google search of him shows that ...
May 20, 2021•49 min
In episode 5.32, Kelly McNeil interviews Matt Schebaum and Will Mook of The Mountain Riding Lab. They share their experience as snowmobile guides, avalanche instructors and business owners. We talk about the specifics of motorized avalanche education and outreach. Will and Matt are fun, energetic, and amazing individuals who are educating many snowmobilers each year. Those two are making a huge impact in the motorized world of avalanche education! We hope you enjoy this episode! Music by Ketsa....
May 17, 2021•1 hr 9 min
'Sode 5.31 features Jonathan Preuss, a ski guide from the Sun Valley Idaho area. JP recounts an experience of being caught in an avalanche in the Lost River Range in Idaho on April 13th, 2019. He and his partner were attempting to ski 9 peaks above 12,000 feet in a single push when the avalanche occurred. JP's thoughtful reflections of what happened leading up to, throughout, and after the accident have many lessons we can all learn from. Follow along with pictures and maps on JP's blog here: ht...
May 13, 2021•1 hr 19 min
In this episode Dom Baker has an amazing chat with Brad White. A fully-certified IFMGA / ACMG Mountain Guide with over 35 years of experience in the avalanche and mountain safety industry. He recently retired from a career with Parks Canada as a Visitor Safety Specialist with responsibilities for mountain rescue and avalanche forecasting in Banff, Kootenay and Yoho National Parks. Brad is a senior professional member of the Canadian Avalanche Association and has taught over 50 advanced avalanche...
May 04, 2021•57 min
'Sode 5.29 features Michael Ackerman who is the Deputy Director of the Silverton Avalanche School. We recorded this episode before the snow started to fly in the fall. Ack and I chat about his career path, how SAS planned to tackle the challenges posed by a global pandemic, some of the ways SAS has evolved and continues to evolve, and his hopes for a bright future for all backcountry users. Enjoy! Music by Ketsa
May 01, 2021•1 hr 26 min
Jeff Hambleton is dropping some great knowledge on episode 5.28. Jeff is the AIARE Motorized Program Manager and works with avalanche professionals from around the world and across multiple disciplines. Jeff spends his time building avalanche education tools and training new generations of avalanche professionals. Jeff talks about his venture into motorized avalanche education, the process AIARE has embarked on over the past few years to develop and deliver a motorized specific curriculum, and h...
Apr 27, 2021•46 min
In this episode, we sit down with Annes St. Claire. Anne is a researcher and practitioner who works as an avalanche forecaster and educator. She has a foot on either side of the US/Canadian border so to speak as she is from the states but has continued her higher education in Canada as well as works as an avalanche forecaster in Revelstoke. We chat about her development as an avalanche professional and her Master's degree research involving a survey that is hoping to help forecast centers unders...
Apr 20, 2021•58 min
In this episode of the Third Thursday Wes Gregg sits down with Kim Vinet who is a CSGA Ski Guide, Professional Skier and Earth Scientist. Freeride skiing launched Kim into the world of backcountry skiing and education back in 2010. After a brief introduction to ski guiding professionally, Kim was involved in an avalanche fatality that changed the course of all 3 of her careers. 7 years later, after a lot of therapy and continued education and certification, Kim is a full time ski guide at Mike W...
Apr 15, 2021•56 min
At the beginning of 2021, two incidents occurred in the eastern part of the European Alps where mountain rescuers were caught by hangfire avalanches during ongoing rescue operations. In this episode, Matthias Walcher interviews two people directly involved, who shed light on the circumstances of the accidents and share the lessons learned: Matthias Schilchegger is a mountain rescue leader in Obertauern (Austria) and Manca Volk Bahun is a snow scientist and avalanche forecaster based in Trzic, Sl...
Apr 12, 2021•50 min
