Dr. Ethan Greene PhD - Why Is Colorado's Backcountry the Deadliest in the USA? | Brought to you by Alta Ski Area.

"Avalanches kill more people in Colorado than any other natural hazard." - Dr. Ethan Greene

Dr. Ethan Greene PhD is the director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) who has an undergraduate degree in meteorology, a master's degree in atmospheric science, and a PhD in geoscience. He's written 2 books on snow science and avalanches, he has over 45 publications in the snow science world and he is obviously an avid backcountry skier. Dr. Greene grew up in Boulder, Colorado and has been skiing the Colorado mountains nearly his entire life.

Dr. Greene walks us through how his team covers 30,000 square-miles of avalanche terrain in their daily avalanche forecast with a team of only 10-16 humans.

96 people were caught in avalanches in Colorado in 2019/20 which is up 70% compared to average with a third of those avalanche accidents coming after the Coronavirus shut-down.

Dr. Greene answers these poignant questions:

• Why do more people die in avalanches in Colorado than in any other state?

• Why is the Colorado snowpack so dangerous?

• What advice would you give a first-time backcountry skier/rider for 2020/21?

• When is the most dangerous time to backcountry ski & ride in Colorado?

• When is the safest time to ski & ride the Colorado backcountry?

• What happened in the Colorado backcountry after ski resorts closed on March 15th, 2020 due to Coronavirus?

• What do you think will happen in the Colorado backcountry this Coronavirus 2020/21 season?

• Why is Spring corn skiing better in maritime snowpacks (California, Oregon, Washington) than in continental snowpacks (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana)?

• Why is it important to report avalanche accidents and observation to your local avalanche center as soon as possible?

• more

Dr. Greene talks us through 10 striking avalanche numbers in Colorado in 2019/20 including 96 people caught in avalanches in 2019/20 which is up 70% compared to average.

Finally, Dr. Greene gives our host Miles Clark expert feedback & advice via watching Miles' video of his terrifying avalanche off the summit of Mt. Superior in Utah in January 2019. 

Please enjoy!

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This episode is brought to you by Alta Ski Area, an independent mountain with a laid-back vibe that averages 547'' of deepness every winter.

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The SnowBrains Podcast Episode #1 - Dr. Ethan Greene director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. Recorded on September 28th, 2020 in Santa Cruz, CA (Miles) and Bou