Research Areas

Avalanche hazard is a highly dynamic in space and time, and the associated risk is managed in real-time by continuously monitoring weather and snowpack conditions to assess the hazard and determine its effect on the element(s)-at-risk. Mitigation measures are then chosen based on objectives, such as warning the public, skiing a slope or keeping a road open.

Reflecting the main components of avalanche risk management, the SARP research projects can roughly be classified in seven different research areas. Common to all research themes is their interdisciplinarity the influence of human factors, which affect all parts of the avalanche risk management process.

  • Hazard Assessment

    To advance our ability to assess avalanche hazard in a way that is most informative for risk management

    Avalanche hazard describes the source of potential harm, the nature of potential avalanches, independent of any element at risk. Lots of research has gone into improving our understanding of avalanche as a physical phenomenon and how to monitor factor affecting associated hazard. However, the step from making observations to deciding whether it is safe to enter a particular slope is challenging and requires substantial practical experience.

    To learn more about current and past research projects in this areas click here.

  • Terrain Management

    To quantitatively describe what type of terrain is appropriate under different types of avalanche conditions

    When travelling in avalanche terrain, avalanche risk is managed by choosing terrain the limits exposure to the existing hazard to an acceptable level while pursuing your activity. While mountain guides have a tremendous amount of practical expertise managing avalanche hazard, there has been very limited academic research on this important topic so far.

    To learn more about current and past research projects in this areas click here.

  • Accidents & Risk

    To explicitly quantify the risk involved in travelling in avalanche terrain

    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.

    To learn more about current and past research projects in this areas click.

  • Vulnerability & Rescue

    To better understand the factors affecting survivability in avalanches and thereafter

    Despite best intentions, avalanche accidents do occur. The goal of this research area is to provide backcountry users and avalanche rescue personnel with evidence-based information about the factor that affect avalanche survival and the effectiveness of avalanche safety equipment.

    To learn more about current and past research projects in this areas click here.

  • User Groups

    To strengthen our understanding of the knowledge and perspectives of different backcountry user groups.

    Avalanche hazard affect many different user groups. Traditional recreational backcountry user groups include backcountry skiers, snowmobile riders and out-of-bounds skiers. But there are also smaller groups, such as ice climbers and mountaineers, and emerging groups like snow-shoers. And then there are commercial guiding operations and professional avalanche safety operations. Each of these groups have different objectives, levels of awareness and risk management expertise. Having an in depth understanding of the motivations, attitudes and the strength and weaknesses of the risk management process of these different groups is critical for developing effective prevention initiatives that address existing challenges.

    To learn more about current and past research projects in this areas click here.

  • Recording Systems & Decision Aids

    To develop and evaluate tools that facilitate better informed decision making in avalanche terrain

    Efficient recording systems can play a critical role for maintaining situational awareness when you are dealing with a complex system such as avalanche safety. Long-term datasets are also required to highlight patterns and trends, which are critical for developing effective prevention initiatives that address existing weaknesses in risk management.

    Because there are so many factors affecting avalanche risk, combining observations into an informative assessment is not always straight forward. Evidence-based decision aids can be tremendously helpful as they provide guidance on what to observe and how to put it together to a decision.

    To learn more about current and past research projects in this areas click here.

  • Research Methods

    To develop approaches that allow us to pursue our research questions

    We are continuously looking for new ways to examine our datasets to make sure we get the maximum benefit out of them. In this process, we often develop new methods to process, store, analyze and display our data. We are happy to share our methods once we feel they are solid, because we are big believers of open source software and community-based research.

    To learn more about current and past research projects in this areas click here.