The Avalanche Hour Podcast

In this episode, Matthias Walcher sits down with Jürg Schweizer for a deep dive on a career focused on snow science. Jürg Schweizer studied environmental physics at ETH Zurich and joined SLF, at that time still up on the Weissfluhjoch, after completing his PhD. He spent a formative year conducting research at Rogers Pass in Canada. He rose from researcher to head of the world’s most renowned institute in the field, leading pioneering work that shaped modern avalanche science. Along the way, he mentored dozens of young scientists who now advance our understanding of snow and avalanches worldwide.Interview highlights:- How avalanche research has changed over the decades.- What it takes to build a career in avalanche science.- Why 4,000 feet of snow pits still hold surprises.- The importance of good mentorship.Resources cited in the conversation:https://www.instagram.com/whiteriskslf/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/slfdavos/?hl=enLinks to many of his publications can be found here: https://www.slf.ch/de/mitarbeitende/schweizjThanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryEpisode Sponsor:Open SnowMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating

In memory of Judson Wright, this is a special re-airing of a Season 6 interview with him. Judson was a father and a husband first, and the founder and lead guide of Kootenay Backcountry Guides.  He was the co-founder of State of the Snowpack, and lead guide of White Grizzly Snowcat Skiing.  He was also the most enthusiastic crossing guard you ever met.  Judson guided with the principle that if you are doing it for yourself then you are no longer guiding.   He loved to share the joy of powder skiing and seeing people light up as they fall in love with it.We’re going to miss you Jud.  Rest in Powder. Summary of the Episode: - Wisdom shared from years of guiding and moving through the mountains- Philosophies on good guiding and instruction - At the end of the day, it’s just skiing.  We all need to come home to our families.  The Judson Wright Legacy Fund was established by Judson’s wife Kelly. This fund will support initiatives that reflect Judson’s values, including backcountry awareness and education. Find the fund here: https://ospreycommunityfoundation.ca/funds/judson-wright-legacy-fund/Resiliency Resources for Grief/Loss Listed in the Episode:Canada- Canadian Mountain Community Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) To find out more or get in touch with a Peer Responder: mountaincism.ca, hello@mountaincism.ca or the Dispatch Line (for immediate support): 604-670-2772- Mountain Muskox mountainmuskox.com- Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)British Columbia Broader Regional Mental Health & Community Resources: bc.cmha.ca- Center for Loss and Life TransitionsAn organization dedicated to helping people who are grieving. Books and resources about grief: centerforloss.com- MyGrief.caMyGrief.ca is an online resource to help people move through their grief from the comfort of their own home, at their own pace. It can help you understand your grief and approach some of the most difficult questions that may arise.- Lumara Grief & Bereavement SocietyA BC based organization that runs programs for youth and families navigating grief and loss: lumarasociety.org/about-usUnited States- The American Avalanche Association Resiliency Projecthttps://www.americanavalancheassociation.org/resilience-project- Survivors of Outdoor Adventure Recovery (SOAR)Instagram page @outdooradventuresandrecovery or website soar4life.org- American Alpine Club, Climbers Grief Fundhttps://americanalpineclub.org/grieffund- Redside Foundation, supporting guides in MT, ID, CO, WYhttps://www.redsidefoundation.org/- Brooke Shiny Edwards - Resiliency Coach https://wildworldwanderings.com/coachingThanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating 

This panel discussion was part of the Bend Snow & Avalanche Workshop (BendSAW), hosted by the Central Oregon Avalanche Center and originally recorded on November 8th, 2025. The panel brought together Margaret Wheeler, Liz King, Jason Boone and Kevin Grove, moderated by Sara Boilen. Dr. Sara Boilen is a psychologist based in Northwest Montana and a familiar voice from Slabs and Sluffs. In this episode, she shares the BendSAW panel on grief and loss in the mountain community that she facilitated. Having known grief from a young age, Sara has built her professional (and personal) life around the hard conversations most people avoid. As part of this community, she aims to move the needle toward greater honesty about the risks we take, deeper connection with our partners in the mountains, and even laughter amidst the pain.We want to extend a huge thank you to the panelists and everyone who attended BendSAW for bringing and allowing for vulnerability in this great community of ours. About the panelists:- Margaret Wheeler Margaret became the second woman in the US to complete her full AMGA IFMGA guide certification- Liz King is the Avalanche Program Director at the American Avalanche Institute - Jason Boone is a recreational user who took a big risk by getting up on stage- Kevin Grove is an educator, mentor and deeply rooted in the Central Oregon avalanche communityResources: If you struggle with grief, anxiety, depression, or existential pain from your experiences in the mountains, you’re definitely not alone. We know you’re not alone because there are (more than) four organizations entirely dedicated to helping folks just like you feel better. If you want some support, reach out to one of these great organizations, or a coworker, a friend, or someone in your family, and let them know how you’re doing. https://www.mountainmuskox.com/https://www.americanavalancheassociation.org/resilience-project - Episode Sponsor Climbing Grief Fund American Alpine Clubhttps://americanalpineclub.org › grieffundhttps://www.redsidefoundation.org/Thanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryEpisode Sponsor:A3 Resilience Project ⁠Propagation Labs⁠Music: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating

Episode Highlights:- A wide ranging conversation touching on community, connection, loss, grief and decision making.- Field updates from Snow and Avalanche Workshops from Utah ProSAW, South Central AK SAW and Bend SAW- Highlights from episodes from November and upcoming episodes in December- Current community events- No more AI art! This is a sneak preview of our new Season 10 artwork - stay tuned for an exciting announcement! In the third installment of our monthly Slabs ‘n Sluff series, hosts Sara Boilen and Dom Baker sit down for a dynamic conversation covering the themes of building community through shared experiences, mentorship, decision-making, and loss. They discuss highlights from podcast episodes from November and look ahead to upcoming episodes in December.  The conversation highlights the significance of building connections & supporting one another, especially in light of recent losses in the avalanche community.Hear from voices in our community as they prepare for the upcoming winter season and highlight takeaways from attending fall snow & avalanche workshops. Sara and Dom discuss preseason training for professionals and recreationalists and have a question for you:  What does your preseason training look like?  How do you prepare for a fun and safe season of shredding?  What skills do you brush up on every season before the snow stacks up?  Call our voicemail line at 541-406-0221!Thanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryEpisode Sponsor:Safeback Music: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating 

Do all heroes really wear capes? No, and the professionals who specialize in avalanche rescue never would - although they often wear red...sans tights - but they deserve a heartfelt thank you. This episode is a special opportunity to hear directly from those who show up when we need them most. We hope to never have to call them, but should listen closely to what they have to share with us. In this episode, Michael Ackerman, Dave Richards, Chrissie Oken, John Reller, and Jeremy Jolley bring you the Season 10 Rescue Roundup.  There’s something for everyone in here - whether you are a seasoned patroller or a recreational skier hoping to never need to be rescued.  Episode Highlights:- New GPS-enabled emerging technology for more powerful transceiver searching capabilities. Flux lines a thing of the past? PRO transceiver tests? - How do you shave seconds or minutes during a rescue? - Train constantly and accurately, but during a rescue, slow down. There are no excuses not to train with your transceiver.- How to get involved with your local Search & Rescue (SAR) group. - Technology advancements in the Search & Rescue field. - Airbag packs. Thanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryEpisode Sponsor:Arva Equipment Music: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob KeatingPhoto: In memory of Jiggs. Avalanche SAR dog for Snowbasin Ski Patrol, Wasatch Backcountry Rescue. Handler - Eric Landreth.

In loving memory of a legend from our community, we dedicate this episode to you, Wendy. From Wendy's family: '“I don’t get tired, I go hard!” Are the words six year old Wendy said to her uncle when on a hike. That was the way Wendy lived her life and achieved her dreams. The rest of us felt so lucky to scramble, climb, pedal, ski, or snow machine behind her, trying to keep up on another Wendy adventure.Wendy was born on October 31, 1973 in Salt Lake City, Utah and she touched the sky on November 6, 2025 in Park City, Utah under a super moon, giving us a fresh dusting of snow on the mountains. Wendy accomplished so much in her life. An incomplete list: 2002 and 2006 Olympic Winter Games athlete in cross country skiing, 4 World Championships participation, 6 National Championship wins, a coach at the University of Utah XC ski team 2006-2008, an intern for the Utah Avalanche Center, a master’s degree in atmospheric science from University of Utah leading to a career in avalanche forecasting, the Director of the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center 2010-2025 and an air resource meteorologist for the US Forest Service deployed to wildfires.But beyond these amazing achievements, the most significant, however, is her sincere and genuine smile, infectious laugh and the positive energy behind it that had such an impact on so many during her life with us. She was the rock that drew the best out of all of us. She was a force of nature that we will all miss. Her spirit will stay alive in all of the hearts she touched. Energy doesn’t die, it transfers."A note from Andrew Schauer at the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center:"[Wendy] shared with us at our last staff meeting just last week, that people had been asking her what’s on her bucket list? She said the only thing she wanted to do was “work at the avalanche center with all of us”. She has built something remarkable, and we are lucky to be able to carry the torch. Wendy set an incredibly high standard for trust and respect among our team and within our community. During her 15 seasons at the avalanche center, she built a solid foundation of partnerships and systems that will benefit our community well into the future. See Andrew's full note here. A few stats about Wendy:- She started at CNFAC during the 2010/11 season- 742 forecasts- First Chugach Avy fx: 02/06/2011- Final Chugach Avy fx: 04/13/2025 (High danger, P1: Storm Slab/ P2: Deep Slab!)- 452 observations- First Chugach Avy Obs: Seattle Creek 11/20/2011- Final Chugach Avy Obs: Seattle Creek 3/15/2025"Thanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryEpisode Sponsor:IPA CollectiveMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating 

Our November episode special is out now! Caleb Merrill sits down with Jayne Thompson Nolan with the American Avalanche Association (‘The A3’) and Dom Baker is back to chat with Joe Obad from the Canadian Avalanche Association (‘CAA’)Our avalanche associations are the web that holds us all together. If you are a current or aspiring professional, or a member of the avalanche community, please consider supporting with a donation or becoming a member at:A3 Membership: https://www.americanavalancheassociation.org/membership-levelsCAA Membership: https://www.avalancheassociation.ca/page/Member_CategoriesUpdates from the A3 include:A3 Upcoming Events: https://www.americanavalancheassociation.org/eventsA3 Supported Resilience Project & Grants Women’s Avalanche Network - Webinar Dec 3rd, to register for the Substack channel for updates visit here: https://womensavalanchenetwork.substack.com/Welcoming new A3 staff and board membersAdvocacy and partnership efforts between the A3 and public backcountry avalanche centers to garner support in the face of budget cutsRecreation education restructuringPRO 2 industry assessment results and changes Updates from the CAA include: New president, Wren McElroyContinuing Professional Development (CPD) Opportunities: https://www.avalancheassociation.ca/page/CPD_OpportunitiesSpring Conference May 6th-8th in Penticton, BC Highlights on the CAA Industry Training Program (ITP) Developments with the InfoEx CAA is on socials - Instagram & Facebook to stay up to dateThanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating 

In Episode 10.4, Kim Vinet sits down with Johanna Wagstaffe for a conversation about the weather! Tune in for a great episode as two friends get together to talk about weather forecasting and assessing risk in the mountains. Kim and Johanna attended university together and studied earth and atmospheric sciences. Johanna went on to work for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) as an on-air weather personality. Johanna is an expert science communicator and gives tips on using storytelling to unravel complex weather information to the public. There’s something for everyone in this episode as they unpack technical terms in easy-to-understand language and even hint at what climate change means for the future of avalanche forecasting.Johanna is a meteorologist, seismologist and science reporter for CBC News. With a background in seismology and earth science, she has covered national and international weather stories, including major earthquakes, hurricanes and wildfires. She has also hosted several award-winning CBC science podcasts and is now working on climate and science explainer videos for the CBC. Johanna is a master of explainer video. Check out her YouTube playlist describing everything from the jet stream, to snowpack and trees or how the weather is changing with a changing climate. Planet Wonder is a series about discovering nature and hopefully inspiring people to want to protect it. Her newest project Here's Why, describes the latest in global weather events on a changing planet.Highlights of the interview: Communicating risk, uncertainty and the challenges of translating technical information to diverse audiencesHow Johanna works with the news team and Avalanche Canada to deliver special weather warnings to the publicRapid fire weather terminologyWhat to expect from the snowpack as the climate changesThanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryEpisode Sponsor:Arva Equipment Music: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating

In the second installment of our monthly Slabs & Sluff series, hosts Sara Boilen and Dom Baker dig into some particularly striking nuggets from this past month’s episodes and look forward to the season ahead. Slabs and Sluffs is a monthly round up of all things related to The Avalanche Hour podcast and our community more broadly. October is the month of getting ready for the winter season.  Join Sara and Dom as they dig into some of the gems from October’s episodes and talk about getting mind and body ready for the upcoming winter season.Some highlights from the conversation:Normalization of Deviance - risk normalization and how it affects decision making.Possible and Probably - how words hold (or don’t hold) well-defined meaning.   October episode recap and highlighting of upcoming episodes for November.Physical preparation tips from Physio Lori Anne Donald of @mountainsportsclinicResources & links mentioned in the episode: Lori Anne suggested exercise, single leg pallof press on YouTube Skeena Cat Skiing & Boarding AIARE 2 + Avalanche Rescue Trip When Doing Wrong Feels So Right: Normalization of DevianceCall us to be featured on the next Slabs n’ Sluff Episode!What are you doing to prepare for the season ahead? Are you attending SAWs, are you digging out your avalanche gear and practicing? What apps are you using? What long-range forecasts are you believing… We’d love to hear from you, our community, for Slabs and Sluffs 3 dropping Oct 29.   Voicemail hotline:  1-541-406-0221Thanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating

In Episode 10.3, Jake Hutchinson sits down with Tom Kimbrough to bring us our first Bio of a Legend this season. Roshi is the Japanese word for “zen master” or “old master.” For a generation or two of Wasatch avalanche hunters, Tom is both the old master and the zen master. His holistic approach to assessing risk in snow covered mountains is a culmination of a life as a curious avalanche hunter, public forecaster, climbing ranger and avalanche educator.Tom’s career spans work on the Alpine Meadows and Alta Ski Patrols, a Jenny Lake Climbing Ranger, forecaster at the Utah Avalanche Center and instructor for the American Avalanche Institute. One of the first things Kimbrough learned about climbing was that climbers tended to be skiers in the winter. After a season on the lift crew at Badger Pass in Yosemite he graduated to the ski patrol. Soon he was patrolling at Alpine Meadows in Tahoe. Alta was next on his list and in 1987 he began working for the Utah Avalanche Center. He finished his avalanche career with Rod Newcomb’s American Avalanche Institute.In this episode, Jake and Tom talk about:The 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche AccidentHumility in the mountainsZen and the art of avalanche forecastingA note from Jake: “More than once we mention Rod Newcomb in this episode. Between sitting down with Tom and the release of this episode, we lost Rod at the ripe old age of 91.  Rod was a friend, mentor and pioneer in our industry.  He shaped avalanche education in the US and was the first to see the need for pro specific education.  His influence on Tom, myself and so many others cannot be overstated.  A long life fully lived, thanks for everything Rod.”Thanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryEpisode Sponsor:Avalanche Risk SolutionsMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating