Ottawa Issues New Warning System For Avalanche Risk

March 18, 2010 6:59 a.m. EST

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (AHN) - Environment Canada issued on Wednesday a new warning system for avalanche risk in response to the deaths of two male snow mobilers at a mountain in Revelstoke, British Columbia.

The warning system is the same one used by Parks Canada, according to Environment Minister Jim Prentice. It uses a five-point scale that begins with low risk and moves up to extreme risk to describe the possibilities of an avalanche, the expected size and travel recommendations.

Environment Canada sought input from the Canadian Avalanche Center and the U.S. Forest Service and will be implemented across the country. However, decision to go snow mobiling or to engage in other winter sports at mountain resorts would still be an individual choice.

Prentice said the new warning system is a better alternative than prohibiting Canadians from entering the country's wilderness to engage in winter sport activities.