Design and evaluation of cost-effective methods for estimating size of winter backcountry use

Avalanches represent a substantial hazard for winter backcountry recreationists. Over the last 10 years, an average of 11 people lost their lives in avalanche related accidents in Canada each winter, and most of these fatalities were private recreationists who made their own decision about when and where to travel in the backcountry. Having an in-depth understanding of the recreational community is critical for designing effective avalanche safety products and services. While recent studies have examined recreationists’ understanding of avalanche forecasts and how the forecast information affects their risk management practices, little is known about the overall size of the winter backcountry population. To address this knowledge gap, this study explores three indirect counting techniques at the regional scale. The results of this study will provide Avalanche Canada with guidance on how to meaningfully understand absolute numbers and trends in winter backcountry recreation participation in the mountainous regions of Western Canada in a cost-effective and repeatable way.

Faculty Supervisor:

Pascal Haegeli

Student:

Partner:

Avalanche Canada

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Arts, entertainment and recreation

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program: