A Canadian company has adopted drones for avalanche control, moving away from traditional methods like artillery and explosives. Aerial Vehicle Safety Solutions Inc. (AVSS) received approval from the federal government to test its SnowDart system for avalanche management last year. This winter, AVSS successfully trialed the technology in Jasper National Park by using a drone to transport and drop an explosive on a mountain slope for remote detonation.
Josh Ogden, AVSS co-founder, highlighted the significance of this drone technology as an additional tool for avalanche control. Historically, Canada has employed various methods such as 105 mm howitzer guns, where the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery triggers avalanches by firing shells on mountain slopes. Parks Canada also utilizes helicopters to strategically drop explosives and has remote trigger stations on certain slopes.
According to Ogden, drones offer advantages in inaccessible areas without artillery guns or remote trigger stations, and they can be a cost-effective alternative to helicopters. This winter has seen a surge in avalanche control activities in Western Canada due to heavy snowfall, with significant road closures for avalanche management along Highway 1 in Glacier National Park.
While drones show promise for avalanche control, Deryl Kelly from Parks Canada mentioned that they will complement existing tools but not replace them entirely due to weather dependencies. Testing will continue in the upcoming winter, with potential adoption in other mountainous regions in Canada. Brian Rode, vice-president of Marmot Basin ski resort, expressed optimism about the drone technology for avalanche control and indicated the resort’s interest in monitoring its development.
As industries explore drone technology for diverse applications, including bridge inspections and emergency responses, the future integration of drones in avalanche control operations remains a topic of interest. Despite the potential benefits of drones, traditional methods like explosive charges will continue to be used for avalanche control at ski resorts like Marmot Basin in Jasper National Park.