Spending time in the mountains can be a great way to relax.
But, one important rule of thumb for every seasoned, and not so seasoned, mountain adventurer is being prepared, and knowing how to stay safe.
One way to do that is take part in a hands-on winter safety demonstration as part of the fourth annual Avalanche Awareness Day on Jan. 17.
With winter in full swing, and as the snowpacks deepen in Kananaskis, being aware of what to do in case you’re caught in an avalanche is essential before heading out to the mountains.
“Our government is committed to ensuring high quality outdoor experiences for all Albertans in our wonderful parks system. But backcountry and other activities have risks associated with them, including the very real risk of avalanche,” said Shannon Phillips, Minister of Environment and Parks in a news release.
“Events like Avalanche Awareness Day build public knowledge and education around safety in the mountains. Education is the key to avoiding tragedy in the backcountry, and allows more people to explore Alberta’s outdoors and lead an active lifestyle.”
In addition to providing workshops about snowpack analysis and companion rescue techniques, experts will also demonstrate techniques for winter survival and new technologies in safety gear. The free event, organized by Alberta Parks and held at Peter Lougheed Provincial Park from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
