A Canadian company has found a novel approach to avalanche control by utilizing drones instead of traditional artillery weapons or explosives dropped from helicopters. Aerial Vehicle Safety Solutions Inc. (AVSS) was granted permission by the federal government to test its SnowDart system for avalanche control last year. The technology was recently tested in Jasper National Park, where a drone was employed to carry an explosive up a mountain and release it onto the slope for remote detonation. Josh Ogden, co-founder of AVSS, highlighted the significance of this innovative method as an additional tool for avalanche control.
Traditionally, various methods have been used for avalanche control in Canada, including the use of 105 mm howitzer guns by the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery of the Canadian Armed Forces to trigger avalanches. Parks Canada also utilizes helicopters to strategically drop explosives and has remote trigger stations in certain locations. According to Ogden, drones offer advantages in inaccessible areas where artillery guns or trigger stations are impractical, and they can be a cost-effective alternative to helicopters.
Amidst a particularly active winter for avalanche control in Western Canada, Parks Canada faced heightened challenges along a 43-kilometer stretch of Highway 1 through Glacier National Park. Due to record snowfall in December and atmospheric conditions in March, the highway experienced prolonged closures for avalanche control activities. The Icefields Parkway, connecting Jasper to Lake Louise in Alberta, also encountered significant closures, setting a record for the most hours closed in recent memory.
Looking ahead, various industries are exploring drone technology for diverse applications, from bridge inspections to emergency response. Ogden emphasized the increasing integration of drones into daily operations. While drones show promise in managing avalanche risk, Deryl Kelly of Parks Canada cautioned that they cannot replace traditional control methods due to weather dependencies. AVSS plans to continue testing the SnowDart system next winter, with potential adoption in other mountainous regions in Canada. Brian Rode, vice-president of the Marmot Basin ski resort in Jasper National Park, expressed optimism about the use of drones for avalanche control and stated that the ski resort will monitor the technology’s progress before considering its implementation, while continuing with current avalanche control measures in the interim.