The Avalanche Hour Podcast

“Science is What We Do to Keep from Lying to Ourselves” ~ Richard Feynman. In this conversation, Bruce Jamieson is back to interview Dr. Karl Birkeland and Joe Stock for a deep dive into snow science. Jamieson brings us with him on a snow science journey alongside two of the industry’s top authors and experts on snow avalanches. Their conversations comment on the importance of the science side of the industry as “understanding how things work allows us to anticipate conditions that are outside of our experience.” Interview Highlights:- Stopping to dig a snow pit or review & interpret observations helps groups engage with the snowpack, fosters curiosity, and encourages collaborative decision-making- Long-term practitioners often become humble and curious due to encountering surprises and unknowns in avalanche work- The amount of science needed depends on the individual and their goals; more knowledge can help practitioners and recreationists make better decisions, especially in unfamiliar conditions   - People benefit from a tiered training framework: core skills in main courses coupled with more science topics through CPD and ISSWs. Joe Stock is an IFMGA mountain guide who has distilled decades of skiing, climbing, guiding and teaching avalanche courses into a step-by-step system outlined in The Avalanche Factor - a handbook for recreational skiers and climbers who want to get into backcountry avalanche terrain using their own power.Karl Birkeland’s The Starting Zone is an e-book specifically targeting avalanche professionals and advanced recreationists. It’s an essential resource for avalanche professionals, blending cutting-edge science with practical avalanche application.Thanks 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

Morgan Dinsdale is a professional ski guide, writer, holistic nutritionist and the Founder and Executive Director of the State of the Snowpack, a public safety non-profit dedicated to connecting avalanche professionals with their local communities across the mountain communities of Canada.A Canadian Ski Guide Association (CSGA) Level 2 Ski Guide and the first Level 2 ever elected to the CSGA Board of Directors, Morgan spends her winters guiding for Whistler Heli-Skiing and Selkirk Snowcat Skiing. Her career blends her deep love for skiing with heartfelt storytelling, mentorship, and a passion for creating more connection, compassion, playfulness and transparency in the backcountry. Outside of guiding, Morgan is a devoted long-distance thru-hiker, having walked thousands of miles around the world, from New Zealand's Te Araroa to the Continental Divide Trail. She feels most herself in truly wild places, often with her beloved dog, Teddy Bear, by her side. In a profession often defined by grit and bravado, Morgan brings her own form of mountain strength—rooted in tenderness, intuition, mindfulness and the color pink. She believes femininity and wildness belong together, and that leadership in the mountains can be both grounded and graceful.Interview Highlights: Morgan Dinsdale shares the history of her non-profit, State of The SnowpackMorgan shares how her team at Selkirk Snowcat Skiing re-created The Stress Continuum to fit their decision-making model in their guide meetingsMorgan shares some profound wisdom from a recent near miss avalanche accidentWe would like to dedicate this show to Judson Wright, co-founder of State of The Snowpack with Morgan who just passed away of a heart attack on Saturday, November 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 

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, [email protected] 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