Item: USING SNOWMOBILES FOR SLOPE SCALE TESTING AND MITIGATION
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Title: USING SNOWMOBILES FOR SLOPE SCALE TESTING AND MITIGATION
Proceedings: Proceedings, International Snow Science Workshop, Whistler, BC, Canada, 2026
Authors:
- Ben Hawkins [ North Rockies Field Team Lead, Avalanche Canada. ] [ Avalanche Safety Officer, Prince George Search & Rescue ] [ CMBGA Level 3 Lead Guide & Instructor, CAA Professional Member, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada ]
Date: 2026-09-28
Abstract: As organizations like the Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) and the Canadian Motorized Backcountry Guides Association (CMBGA) work to uphold high professional standards for snow-mobiling within the avalanche industry, some procedures are still lagging in an industry historically ori-ented towards skiing. While best practices and risks of ski cutting are fairly defined by previous research and professional guidance (Jamieson, 2021; Jamieson et al., 2019; Stimberis, 2018), the use of snow-mobiles for slope cuts remains inconsistent and informal across sled-based operations. In these operations, practitioners rely on snowmobiles to access terrain and inform slope-based decisions, yet there is little formal guidance on procedures for using the sled as a slope-scale tool for data collection or hazard mitigation. This paper is motivated by the perceived inconsistency of field practices and the absence of guidance for sled cuts within the industry. It explores whether sled cutting can be summarized in a structured, intentional way that aligns with established principles of ski cutting, while acknowledging the unique risks, opportunities and limitations of snowmobile travel. This paper approaches sled cutting in two parts; sled cutting as data collection (slope-scale observation) and as a control measure (defensive cuts). The guiding question is: Are sled-based practitioners approaching the use of sled cuts with enough consistency to define a set of guidelines for the industry? The paper draws on an internal policy development at Avalanche Canada to adapt an existing ski cutting framework for mechanized use as the start of a broader discussion. The conversation is expanded to subject matter experts through a survey process to identify both the common ground and discrepancies between practitioners. It presents this as a proof of concept rather than a prescriptive standard. Key takeaways highlight the application, advantages, risks and limitations of sled cutting. The goal is to prompt dialogue and support collaborative progress toward guidance on best practices for practitioners.
Object ID: ISSW2026_FS1.4.pdf
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15788/1790099424
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Ben Hawkins
Keywords: Snowmobile, Sled Cutting, Mitigation, Slope-Test.
Page Number(s): 833 - 837
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