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 experience and have used all of the different techniques and technology discussed in this episode. The aim of the episode is to provide some background and context for many of the awesome avalanche control stories you may have heard on the podcast over the past 6 seasons.

Mark Vesely is an Avalanche Technician with over twenty years of experience in operations, fieldwork, and planning. He has worked in a wide range of sectors including lift access ski areas, industrial work sites, industry training, and guiding. His work experiences have included a variety of contexts in western Canada, the United States, and Chile. The core of Mark’s career has been centered around managing the avalanche safety program at Fernie Alpine Resort from 2005 to 2018. He is a professional member of the Canadian Avalanche Association and a ski guide with Association of Canadian Mountain Guide membership. Controlling avalanches with a wide variety of startegies and tactics has been a big part of Marks career.

Robb Andersen is the senior Manager of the BC Ministry of Transportation Avalanche and Weather Program since 2016. Prior to that he ran the Kootenay Pass avalanche program for 6 of the 12 years he spent there. Robb Grew up in Banff and moved to Nelson in the early 1990’s for “just one season” – he’s still there to this day! He got his start in the avalanche world at Whitewater ski resort on the ski patrol, where he worked from 1994 to 2004. Rob had a working CARDA avalanche rescue dog from 2002 to 2010 and was the President of the Canadian Avalanche Association from 2010-12 and Vice President from 2012-16.

Val Visotzky was born in Montreal. He started working as a ski Patroller in 1993 at Sunshine Village, also worked at Norquay, The Remarkables in New Zealand and St.Verans in France. He started his MOTI avalanche career in Stewart in 1999, moved to the Coquihalla program in 2003, and Revelstoke in 2010. He started as the 2ic and started running the Revelstoke program in 2013.

Music in this episode was “I Do Love You” and “Feelin Good” by Age Diamante, used with permission from the artist.

Produced by Caleb Merrill

Artwork by Mike Tea, www.miketea.com

The Avalanche Hour Podcast is supported by:

Wyssen Avalanche Control

10 Barrel Brewing

Interwest Insurance