The videos posted to this channel since ~2015 are by Bruce Jamieson and colleagues. Some of the earlier videos on this channel are links to videos made by Bruce Jamieson and ASARC colleagues (snowavalanchearchive.com/asarc). The links to all these videos can be shared freely and the videos used for any purpose, including commercially, provided the content and authorship are not altered.

To locate a specific video, go to your browser and enter: "vimeo jamieson" video keywords

Part 1 of a three-part video series on the energy exchange at the snow surface by Mark Staples and Bruce Jamieson. This part introduces the processes and then describes the radiation exchange processes. Part 2 is about how the radiation exchange can form persistent weak layers. Part 3 is about the role of precipitation and wind, as well as how the energy exchange varies by aspect over sloping terrain. Thanks to Simon Horton for the review. #energyexchange #energybalance #heattransfer #snow #snowsurface #avalanche #persistentweaklayer #solar #radiation

Mark Staples explains how the radiation exchange at the snow surface plays a dominant role in the formation of depth hoar, surface hoar, melt-layer recrystallization (aka dry-on-wet faceting) and two processes for near surface faceting (diurnal and radiation recrystallization). This is Part 2 of a 3 part video series on the energy exchange at the snow surface. Audience: avalanche practitioners and anyone keen on avalanche science. #energyexchange #snowsurface #radiation #longwave #shortwave #solar #depthhoar #surfacehoar #recrystallization #faceting

Mark Staples and Bruce Jamieson summarize the effects of wind and precipitation on the energy exchange at the snow surface. These processes and radiation vary over terrain and are relevant to avalanche formation and forecasting. The latter part of this video outlines how these processes vary over terrain.

This presentation explains the basics of daytime snowpack warming over terrain and introduces SWarm. SWarm is a free spreadsheet that estimates daytime warming 10 cm below the surface over idealized terrain. You can select the date, latitude, expected cloud cover, and days since snowfall to see how these factors can influence the daytime snowpack warming down 10 cm. For more on SWarm, search for: swarm bakermans #snow #avalanche #asarc #snowpack #daytimewarming #forecasting #albedo #solarradiation

Ethan Greene and Spencer Logan describe the changes to the worker safety program for the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. #fieldsafety #avalanche #workersafety #riskmanagement

A method for measuring the density of snow layers as thin as 4 cm using the gauge made by 6 Point Engineering. For horizontal samples with a 100 cm3 tube like the one in the video, Conger and McClung (2009) propose vertical sampling will give better accuracy. For thin layers thinner than 10 cm, accuracy can be improved by averaging 2+ samples. #snow #density #layer #snowprofile #avalanchework #6pointengineering

A presentation from the 2021 Colorado Snow Avalanche Workshop. This video on the risk management practices is a companion to the video How Risky is Ski Cutting by Avalanche Practitioners. Bruce Jamieson collaborated with Karl Birkeland, Mark Vesely, John Stimberis and Mike Sadan. #skicut #skicutting #avalanche #risk #mitigation #riskmanagement #snow #survey #practice #practitioner #avalancheoperation

Highlights from a survey of practitioners on the risk of ski cutting. The video is based on a paper by Bruce Jamieson, Karl Birkeland, Mark Vesely, Ilya Storm and John Stimberis. Risk management practices for ski cutting by practitioners are outlined in companion video: A Toolkit of Common Practices for Operational Ski Cutting. #skicut #skicutting #avalanche #practitioner #risk #riskmanagement #snow #mitigation

During re-construction of a powerline tower in northwest BC in February 1994, six people were stranded in a lunch shack for four nights. The shack was buried by an avalanche on the third night. In this video, two of the stranded, avalanche technician Hector MacKenzie and linesman Trevor James, recount being stranded and its impact on them. Another of the avalanche technicians Scott Flavelle provides some background on the powerline and the terrain it runs through. Recorded in January 2025 then edited. Uploaded 2025-03-10. #powerline #kemano #avalanche #shack #workersafety #tower #snowstorm #stranded #ptsd

From Explosives to Catenaries - Scott Flavelle talks about the avalanches and avalanche mitigation along the powerline from Kemano to Kitimat. #avalanche #mitigation #catenary #scottflavelle #tower #powerline #transmissionline #kemano #kitimat Thanks to Greg Johnson / 6 Point Engineering for advice and photos. Resources: 2007 Winter Avalanches on the Kemano Kitimat Powerline. 2008. R. Gee, C. Stethem, A. Jones, K. Fogolin, M. Gadja. Proceedings of the 2008 International Snow Science Workshop. A Story of the Engineering of the Kemano-Kitimat Transmission Line - a transmission line that defined careers. Peter Catchpole, Self-published, 2020. Flavelle, S. and H. MacKenzie, 1996. Powerline Pass – B.C. North Coast Mountain, The history of avalanche damage, mitigation and a modern epic. In Proceedings of the International Snow Science Workshop, Banff, Alberta, Canada, 6-10 October 1996. Canadian Avalanche Association, Revelstoke, BC, Canada, 268-270.

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. 22 Feb 2022. CC BY-ND #thinspot #slab #persistentslab #persistentweaklayer #trigger #snow #avalanche

Different people often assign a different size to the same avalanche. Considering deposit volume has been proposed to improve the consistency of size ratings. With the 2024 adoption of deposit volume into the scale of destructive potential for avalanches, visualizing deposit volume by how high the deposit would fill a house or hockey rink should improve the consistency of ratings. Thanks to Brendan Martland, Lisa Larson and Tyler Carson for helpful comments. Uploaded 2025-01-07 #avalanche #forecasting #avalanchedanger #avalanchehazard #avalanchesize #destructivepotential #depositvolume #visualization #hockeyrink

Highlights from a panel discussion with Wren McElroy, Brian Gould, Brad White and Bruce Jamieson. #avalanche #worker #safety #workersafety #Canada #safetyculture

A conversation about pivotal changes in avalanche worker safety in Canada between Brad White, Wren McElroy, Brian Gould and Bruce Jamieson. Recorded 2024-09-06. This conversation delves into the evolution of avalanche worker safety in Canada, highlighting past significant accidents, and the resulting changes in protocols and regulations. The panel discusses the importance of human factors in decision-making, the role of technology in improving information exchange, and the cultural shifts towards a more structured safety workplace. Key accidents are examined for their impact on worker safety procedures and safety regulations. #avalanche #worker #safety #canada #safetyculture #accidents #humanfactors #riskcommunication Takeaways - In the nine years between 1995 and 2003, 12 avalanche workers were killed. - Accidents have often triggered changes in safety protocols. - Human factors and decision-making are critical in avalanche safety. - The InfoEx has revolutionized information sharing in the industry. - Cultural shifts have led to improved teamwork and safety practices. - Mapping avalanche terrain is essential for worker safety. - Training and regulations have evolved significantly over the years. - Communication about risk has improved dramatically. - The industrial sector has influenced safety practices in the avalanche industry. - Understanding avalanche terrain is crucial for making safe decisions. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Avalanche Worker Safety 02:52 Past Accidents and Changes in Safety Practices 05:47 The Role of Human Factors in Avalanche Decisions 09:11 Technological Advances and Information Sharing 12:00 Cultural Shifts in Safety Practices 14:51 Key Accidents and Their Impact on Safety Regulations 18:07 Current Practices and Future Directions in Avalanche Safety

A conversation on some key changes in avalanche worker safety in Canada between Brad White, Wren McElroy, Brian Gould and Bruce Jamieson. Recorded 2024-09-06. This conversation explores the evolution of avalanche worker safety in Canada, focusing on accidents, the regulatory influences, the importance of safety plans, human factors affecting decision-making, and the significance of mentorship and teamwork in high-risk environments. The speakers discuss how the industry has improved safety protocols and reduced the risks faced by avalanche workers on the job. #avalanche #worker #safety #canada #workersafety #humanfactors #mentoring #teamwork #safetyculture Takeaways - Avalanche Safety Plans are valuable for worker safety. - Regulatory changes have contributed to better safety practices. - Human factors play a significant role in decision-making. - Stress management is important for maintaining safety. - Situational awareness is key in high-risk environments. - Reflection on past decisions can improve future safety. - Teamwork can improve decision - Mentorship is vital for new workers in the industry. - The culture around safety has improved significantly. - Distractions can compromise worker safety Chapters 00:00 The Evolution of Avalanche Worker Safety 02:51 Regulatory Influence and Safety Plans 06:11 Human Factors and Stress Management 09:03 Decision Making in High-Risk Environments 11:46 Situational Awareness and Reflection 15:03 Mentorship and Team Dynamics

Lynne Wolfe and Snow Safety Director, Mike Buotte, talk about the how and why behind changes to avalanche worker safety on the ski patrol. Mike recounts a close call where he was caught in an avalanche that took out a chairlift, and the consequent changes to worker safety. #avalanche #workersafety #skipatrol #bigsky #safetyculture #buyin #closecall #mentoring #training #snowsafety #avalanchesafety #evolution #avalanche 01:00 Introductions 04:59 Reflecting on incidents 05:44 Close call December 1996 06:57 Creation of snow safety department 12:13 Resistance to new procedures 12:57 Staff buy-in 17:39 Training based on written procedures and protocols 18:59 Revising procedures based on feedback 19:07 Asking staff for feedback 21:04 Value of mental models 23:03 Feedback from co-workers 27:58 Training 28:20 Retaining institutional knowledge 31:31 Mentoring 34:41 A welcoming culture for new employees

Spencer Logan and Ethan Greene from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) chat about the evolution of the field safety program. An avalanche accident in April 2024 triggered an emergency response and provided an opportunity to evaluate the program. This is an episode in the series on the evolution of avalanche worker safety. CC BY-ND. Uploaded 14 October 2024 ⁠#field⁠ ⁠#safety⁠ ⁠#plan⁠ ⁠#workersafety #fieldsafety #safetyculture⁠ ⁠#inclusive⁠ ⁠#buyin⁠ ⁠#avalanche⁠ ⁠#accident⁠ ⁠#ProgramEvaluation⁠ ⁠#IncidentReview⁠ ⁠#ManagementCommitment ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠#colorado ⁠2:38⁠ Field safety plan ⁠4:20⁠ Field equipment ⁠4:47⁠ Field trip plan ⁠5:23⁠ Review field trip plan ⁠6:09⁠ Communication during field day ⁠6:45⁠ Current focus on hazard mitigation ⁠7:15⁠ More car accidents than avalanche accidents ⁠7:33⁠ Avalanche work has been dangerous ⁠8:05⁠ Now, field objectives are clear ⁠8:57⁠ Previously, lots of decisions by individuals ⁠9:21⁠ Now, mostly team decisions ⁠9:56⁠ Information gaps become field objectives ⁠10:08⁠ Mountain ninja to mountain professional ⁠10:47⁠ Safety culture ⁠13:48⁠ Inclusive process ⁠13:23⁠ Staff buy-in ⁠15:34⁠ Check-out / check-in with satellite communicators ⁠17:43⁠ Safety culture, inclusive process ⁠18:47⁠ Avalanche accident ⁠20:43⁠ Program evaluation ⁠23:03⁠ Incident review ⁠26:04⁠ Commitment from senior management

The size of a specific avalanche is assessed with the more visual method and a more quantitative method. Uploaded 2024-04-05. CC BY-ND.

How avalanche workers measure the density of snow layers as thin as 4 cm.

Weak snowpack layers formed by near surface faceting were under-recognized prior to Karl Birkeland's field studies and publications in 1998. This story from recognition of near surface faceting to forecasting and public communication is told by Karl Birkeland, Doug Chabot, Ed Adams, Mark Staples, Mike Cooperstein and Ethan Greene. CC BY-ND