A Canadian company has introduced a novel approach to avalanche control by utilizing drones instead of traditional artillery weapons or explosives dropped from helicopters. Last year, Aerial Vehicle Safety Solutions Inc. (AVSS) received approval from the federal government to test its SnowDart system for avalanche mitigation. This winter, AVSS conducted trials of the technology in Jasper National Park, where a drone was used to transport an explosive payload up a mountain, releasing it onto the slope for remote detonation.
According to Josh Ogden, co-founder of AVSS, the integration of drones provides an additional method for avalanche control, complementing existing tools such as 105 mm howitzer guns employed by the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery of the Canadian Armed Forces. These guns generate shockwaves to trigger avalanches on mountain slopes.
Parks Canada also employs helicopters to drop explosives strategically for avalanche prevention, while some areas feature built-in remote trigger stations. Ogden highlighted the potential of drones for inaccessible terrains lacking artillery guns or trigger stations, noting that they can offer cost-effective solutions compared to helicopters.
The winter season has seen heightened avalanche control activities in Western Canada, with Parks Canada managing a critical 43-kilometer stretch of Highway 1 in Glacier National Park. Due to extreme snowfall in December and atmospheric events in March, the highway faced prolonged closures for avalanche control, totaling 191 hours this winter compared to the usual 79 hours during an average winter.
Looking ahead, various industries are exploring drone technologies for diverse applications, including bridge inspections, emergency responses, and food deliveries. While drones may play a role in future avalanche risk management, Deryl Kelly from Parks Canada emphasized that they cannot replace traditional methods entirely due to weather dependency. AVSS plans to continue testing the drone technology next winter, with potential expansion to other mountainous regions in Canada.
Brian Rode, vice-president of Marmot Basin ski resort in Jasper National Park, expressed optimism about the prospects of using drones for avalanche control. He mentioned that the ski resort will monitor the technology’s progress and adoption in the market while continuing to utilize explosive charges for current avalanche control measures.