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An Inside Look at Avalanche Mitigation from the Alta Ski Patrol

December 29, 2020 by braveskimom

Loading up the big guns, literally, for avalanche control at Alta Ski Area. Image: Sweetgrass Productions/Alta Ski Area.
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Since 1941, Alta Ski Patrol has been keeping skiers safe on some of Utah’s steepest and most beautiful skiing terrain.

Their work often involves early mornings, stormy weather, and tremendous responsibility.

Eighty women and men currently serve as Alta Ski Area patrollers. On big snow days, up to 60 may be working the mountain.

This video serves up a snapshot of how they do their job, especially when it comes to avalanche mitigation and keeping visitors safe.

Alta Ski Area has been called the “birthplace of avalanche research in North America,” and avalanche mitigation techniques pioneered at Alta are used throughout the ski industry.

As Dave Richards, the Director of the Alta Avalanche Department, says in the video, “We now have fancier technology, but the concept is the same: use explosives to affect a wide area of the snowpack without exposing yourself to it personally.”

Patrollers like these work all of our resorts. And while not every ski area or resort has avalanche-prone terrain, patrollers get up early, work hard, attend to accidents and injuries and keep the mountain safe, every single winter day.

Thank you.

Video produced by Sweetgrass Productions for Alta Ski Area.

More About Ski Patrol

  • What Does Ski Patrol Do? [Powderhorn Ski Patrol Ski Along]
  • Not the Mama: Helicopter Rescue Drills with the Steamboat Ski Patrol
  • On Ski Injuries and Magical Thinking
  • Tips from a Pro: Ski and Snowboard Safety For Families

© 2020, braveskimom. All rights reserved. Any use or publication of content, including photos, requires express permission.

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Filed Under: ski safety, Skiing, United States, Utah

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I'm Kristen, a western Colorado mom, wife and trail boss in a busy outdoor family. Our family has a passion for skiing and my goal is to provide information to help other families enjoy their skiing adventures. Whether you have tiny toddlers just learning to slide or grown children with whom you're planning a reunion, you're in the right place. Cheers!

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