Austin Powder

This Photo of the Month was taken by Donovan Faulkner, Blast Crew Member in California, USA, and is entitled, The Art of Blasting, Painted by Nature. Donovan says, “Morning light washes over the quarry wall, a perfect beginning to the blaster’s day..

Youth Get Real World Avalanche Awareness Experience in B.C.

The Fernie Secondary School students in British Columbia recently left the classroom to spend a full day at Fernie Alpine Resort learning about avalanche safety through a hands-on awareness program supported by the ski patrol, Avalanche Canada, and local community members, including Austin Powder Avalanche.

Under clear skies and fresh snowfall, students used skis, transceivers, shovels, and probes to practice real-world rescue scenarios, snowpack analysis, and hazard recognition. Ski patrollers guided students through the ways weather and terrain affect avalanche conditions, demonstrated controlled avalanche mitigation methods, and introduced the role of avalanche dogs in search-and-rescue operations.

The experience was built on previous classroom instruction, giving students their first opportunity to apply avalanche safety principles in active mountain terrain. Fernie Alpine Resort provided lift access and equipment support, while Avalanche Canada and local businesses supplied training gear to ensure full participation. Educators said the day highlighted the importance of preparation and community collaboration in mountain safety, reinforcing that recreation in alpine environments requires knowledge, responsibility, and respect.