Deep Snow, Deeper Lessons – The Origins of Avalanche Safety with Chris Stethem and Grant Statham (Part 1)

Jan 24, 2025

In this enlightening discussion, Chris Stethem, a retired avalanche consultant, and Grant Statham, a legendary mountain guide, delve into the pivotal moments that shaped avalanche safety practices. They recount the Granduc Mine Avalanche, exploring the urgent need for improved risk assessment. They reminisce about the early days of avalanche management, the evolution of communication methods, and the introduction of avalanche beacons. Their insights on snowpack changes and mentoring within the industry foster a deeper appreciation for the complexities of navigating snowy terrains.

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ANECDOTE

Granduc Mine Disaster

The Granduc Mine avalanche in 1965 killed 25 people and highlighted the need for avalanche risk assessment.
A carpenter, Einar Maiella, survived being buried for days under debris, demonstrating resilience.

INSIGHT

Stability vs. Hazard

Early avalanche courses focused on snow stability because terrain was unknown.
This differed from hazard forecasting, which considers terrain and its impact on risk.

ANECDOTE

Crust-Facet Arrival

The winter of 1976-77 introduced the crust-facet combination to Canadian avalanche work.
Whistler experienced rain, closures, then large avalanches triggered by deep crust-facet layers.

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Episode Overview

In this first part of a two-episode series, The Avalanche Hour Podcast features an in-depth conversation with avalanche industry legends Chris Stethem and Grant Statham. These two have dedicated their lives to advancing avalanche safety, education, and research, and their collective impact has shaped how we think about risk management in snow-covered terrain.

The episode begins with the Granduc Mine Avalanche incident in Canada, a pivotal event that underscored the critical need for better risk assessment and communication systems. From there, Chris and Grant explore the origins of avalanche safety practices during the early “cowboy” days, where trial and error led to life-saving lessons.

Listeners will also hear about:

• Defining avalanche scales and aspects to improve communication and ensure messages reach diverse audiences effectively.

• The snowpack evolution of the 1976-77 winter, where facets became prominent, and the impacts of climate change began to show.

• A terrifying near-miss at a FIS ski race, where an avalanche ran into coaches, illustrating the gaps in early avalanche response planning.

• The development and introduction of avalanche beacons, from professional use to their eventual adoption by recreational users.

• Spatial planning for avalanche paths, with lessons drawn from Utah’s structural defenses and how they informed better land-use decisions.

Chris and Grant also reflect on how communication methods have evolved over time, emphasizing the importance of tailoring messages to the audience—whether professionals or recreational backcountry travelers—to ensure safety in avalanche terrain.

This episode sets the stage for an enlightening second part, where they’ll dive deeper into modern advancements, risk management techniques, and more.

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Wyssen Avalanche Control

• OpenSnow

• Gordini

• Raide Research

Crew

• Host: Dom Baker

• Guests: Chris Stethem & Grant Statham

• Producer: Cameron Griffin

Sponsors

• Wyssen Avalanche Control

• OpenSnow

• Gordini

• Raide Research

Music by Gravy

• Song: Lost My Voice