EVR gives $500,000 boost to Avalanche Canada

Submitted photo: Members of Avalanche Canada’s South Rockies field team dig into the snowpack during a day in the Elk Valley backcountry, gathering the on-the-ground data that supports the region’s daily avalanche forecasts. A new $500,000 donation from Elk Valley Resources will help keep this field work, along with public forecasting and outreach programs, running throughout the winter.

Donation helps keep field team, forecasts and outreach running in Elk Valley backcountry

Elk Valley Resources is putting half a million dollars toward avalanche safety programs that many backcountry users in the South Rockies rely on every winter.

The company has announced a $500,000 donation to Avalanche Canada to support its operations, with a focus on the South Rockies field team that works in the Elk Valley and surrounding ranges.

That team collects snowpack and weather data used to produce daily avalanche forecasts for the South Rockies and Lizard Range and Flathead regions, posted at avalanche.ca and on the Avalanche Canada app. Staff also spend time at trailheads, community events and in the mountains, talking with riders and skiers and sharing updates through popular social media accounts.

EVR chief executive officer Mike Carrucan said the company sees that work as essential for residents and visitors who spend time in the backcountry.

“We are proud to support Avalanche Canada and the critical work they do to help keep backcountry users safe while enjoying the outdoors,” he said, adding that the South Rockies field team is an important resource for people in the Elk Valley and beyond.

Avalanche Canada says the funding will help maintain a field presence and keep its public forecasts and outreach programs free to use. The money will also support digital tools that help people make better decisions in avalanche terrain, regardless of their experience level or whether they travel on skis, boards, snowmobiles or snowshoes.

Executive director Gilles Valade said partnerships of this kind make a direct difference for communities that depend on winter recreation.

“EVR’s generous support is essential to maintaining our strong presence in the South Rockies region for years to come, which has a direct impact on our ability to deliver timely, accurate information to the public,” he said. He noted that many EVR employees and their families are active in the backcountry themselves, and the donation reflects a commitment to getting them home safely.

The announcement is being framed as part of EVR broader focus on safety and community wellbeing in the Elk Valley. For Avalanche Canada, it is another step in securing stable funding for field programs that form the backbone of its national forecasting system.

Backcountry users in the region are encouraged to check the daily bulletin at avalanche.ca or in the Avalanche Canada app before heading into the mountains and to use that information alongside training and local conditions on the ground.