Avalanche Control and Skiing Powder – A Day In The Life Of Alta Ski Patrol – Video

Mountainwatch | Video

Alta Ski Patrol formed in 1941 and it one of the longest-running patrols in North America. It was also the first to study avalanches and their causes, researching the snow pack and conditions daily and after 80 years, Alta patrol is regarded as “the birthplace of avalanche research in North America.”

“Alta is high elevation, steep terrain and we get a lot of snow … that presents us with a lot of avalanche challenges,” says Dave Richards, Director of Alta’s Avalanche Department.

Those challenges happen every year, the latest just a couple of weeks ago when the resort was closed for two days on February 7-8 due to avalanche danger. This excellent mini-doco from Sweetgrass Productions gives a great insight into a day in the life of Alta Ski Patrol.