top of page

Select the video channel that interests you

(sure, some videos are on two lists)

An inside look at how people trigger slab avalanches
12:34

An inside look at how people trigger slab avalanches

This video outlines - for a wide audience - the current understanding of how rider-triggered and natural avalanches start. Bruce Jamieson, Karl Birkeland and Ron Simenhois, January 2023. CC BY-ND. Key sources: Schweizer, J., B. Reuter, A. van Herwijnen, J. Gaume. 2016. Avalanche release 101, Proceedings of the 2016 International Snow Science Workshop in Breckenridge, CO, USA. Gaume, J., van Herwijnen, A., Gast, T., Teran, J., Jiang, C. 2019. Investigating the release and flow of snow avalanches at the slope-scale using a unified model based on the material point method. Cold Region Science and Technology 168. Trottet, B., Simenhois, R., Bobillier, G.; Bergfeld, B., van Herwijnen, A., Jiang, C., Gaume, J. 2022. Transition from sub-Rayleigh anticrack to supershear crack propagation in snow avalanches. Nature Physics 18.
Skier triggering. 2D animation
00:22

Skier triggering. 2D animation

A cheesy animation of skier triggering, showing the crack in the weak layer then at the crown. CC BY-ND
Is slab tension a condition that makes rider-triggered avalanches more likely?
20:53

Is slab tension a condition that makes rider-triggered avalanches more likely?

Slab tension means different things to different avalanche practitioners (survey summer 2022). In this (controversial?) 21 minute video, Bruce Jamieson, Karl Birkeland, Grant Statham and Scott Thumlert summarize some common perceptions about slab tension, then review the role of slab tension in the modern understanding of dry slab avalanche release.
Estimating avalanche size - from far and near
05:15

Estimating avalanche size - from far and near

It's easy to underestimate the size of an avalanche from a distance. In this video, Bruce Jamieson outlines a method using on-site estimates of size to calibrate the estimates from a distance. March 2022. CC BY-ND
Triggering a persistent slab avalanche from a thin spot
06:21

Triggering a persistent slab avalanche from a thin spot

Triggering a persistent slab avalanche from a thin spot is infrequent, insidious and potentially deadly. This 6 minute video outlines the snowpack conditions and mechanics. Intended for intermediate and advanced backcountry recreationists and those interested in avalanche science. Feb 2022. CC BY-ND
An intro to snow avalanche dynamics and impact
19:24

An intro to snow avalanche dynamics and impact

An introduction to snow avalanche dynamics and impact. Includes avalanches in motion but no models and almost no math. Intended for anyone interested in avalanche science, early career avalanche practitioners, and Christian Jaedicke's students (perhaps as pre-course material?) Bruce Jamieson and Christian Jaedicke. October 2021.
What works for five experienced avalanche professionals
28:36

What works for five experienced avalanche professionals

Interviews with Marc Piché, Penny Goddard, John Buffery, Sylvia Forest and Larry Stanier. 18 October 2021
Iain Stewart-Patterson on intuition and making decisions for recreation in avalanche terrain
29:57

Iain Stewart-Patterson on intuition and making decisions for recreation in avalanche terrain

A video chat with Iain Stewart-Patterson, May 2021, about intuitive and analytical thinking, trip planning, decision aids and mindsets for recreation in avalanche terrain. CC BY-ND. The podcast is at https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-8mmz8-107ca68
From 3 to 30. How many levels should a rating have?
27:32

From 3 to 30. How many levels should a rating have?

Having found little published guidance on the optimal number of levels in a rating system, Bruce Jamieson and colleagues use examples, mostly from avalanche and weather forecasting, to identify a basic guideline and several other considerations. 03:40 Matthew MacDonald on AQHI ratings 09:52 Matthew MacDonald on precipitation likelihood ratings 12:11 Pascal Haegeli on the avalanche danger rating 18:53 Jesse Percival on rating skier compaction 21:25 James Floyer on avalanche size ratings in public bulletins
It's convex. Should I avoid it?
19:26

It's convex. Should I avoid it?

Views on the roles of convexities in human triggered avalanches vary widely. In this educational video intended for intermediate and advanced winter backcountry recreationists, Ron Simenhois and Bruce Jamieson present various perspectives and research on human triggering near convex slopes. CC BY-ND.

Library of videos (most recent first ... well, mostly)

bottom of page