Item: BACKCOUNTRY GATE SURVEY PROGRAM AT JACKSON HOLE MOUNTAIN RESORT CATALYZES CONVERSATIONS ON HUMAN FACTORS OF RISK MANAGEMENT AND AVALANCHE EDUCATION
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Title: BACKCOUNTRY GATE SURVEY PROGRAM AT JACKSON HOLE MOUNTAIN RESORT CATALYZES CONVERSATIONS ON HUMAN FACTORS OF RISK MANAGEMENT AND AVALANCHE EDUCATION
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop 2024, Tromsø, Norway
Authors:
- Madeleine Johnson [ Preventative Search and Rescue Manager, Teton County Search and Rescue Foundation, Jackson, Wyoming, USA ]
Date: 2024-09-23
Abstract: The Teton County Search and Rescue (TCSAR) Foundation’s backcountry gate survey program in Jackson, Wyoming (WY) is a unique initiative for North America that has been operational for a decade, accumulating extensive data on nearly 2,000 backcountry skiers and snowboarders since its inception in 2013. This program provides valuable insights into user preparedness, behavior and risk management practices in Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s (JHMR) lift-accessed backcountry terrain, where TCSAR’s volunteer team is responsible for avalanche and trauma-related incident response. The data collected by volunteer surveyors is instrumental for Backcountry Zero, TCSAR Foundation's education and community outreach arm, aimed at backcountry incident and fatality prevention. While it is impossible to know exactly how many people enter the Teton backcountry every year, volunteer surveyors have enhanced the ability for avalanche forecasters, educators and first responders to understand who is accessing avalanche terrain and the tools they leverage to do so safely. This winter, data collected on 246 distinct parties at JHMR’s backcountry gates revealed significant trends in avalanche education, risk tolerance and preparedness that will inform the future of incident response, resort messaging and educational outreach initiatives.
Object ID: ISSW2024_P13.11.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s):
Keywords: Avalanche education; backcountry gate; grassroots initiative; volunteer program; human factors
Page Number(s): 1772 - 1777
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