Media Release

For immediate release
January 5, 2006

Expert speakers, high adrenaline films headline Avalanche Awareness Night in Banff

Sunday, January 15, 7:30 p.m.
Max Bell Auditorium, The Banff Centre • FREE

Mountain Culture at The Banff Centre, the Canadian Avalanche Association, Parks Canada, and Canadian Pacific Railway will present the eighth annual Avalanche Awareness Night on Sunday, January 15 in The Banff Centre’s Max Bell Auditorium. This community event aims to increase awareness of avalanche risks associated with backcountry and out-of-bounds travel among skiers, snowboarders, and other outdoor enthusiasts.

The evening includes presentations by avalanche and snow safety experts, high adrenaline films from the Banff Mountain Film Festival , great door prizes, and a trade show in the lobby with the latest avalanche safety information and equipment. Topics and speakers featured at this year’s event include:

• How to get the most out of the Parks Canada Avalanche Bulletin - Brad White, Mountain Safety Program specialist, Parks Canada
• Self-rescue and a demo on the use of avalanche transceivers - Ryan Johnstone, Ortovox Canada
• Ski area awareness - Rowan Harper, Snow Safety specialist, Sunshine Village
• Resuscitation of avalanche victims - Dr. Jeff Boyd, emergency physician, international mountain guide

This event is just one of many organized as part of the CAA’s National Avalanche Awareness Days. Events are planned at ski resorts and snowmobile areas in mountain areas across Canada, from Crowsnest Pass to the Yukon. This year's activities will focus on youth - bringing avvy savvy messages to the next generation of backcountry users.

More than ever, young people are attracted by the lure of the backcountry, or the bowls that beckon above the well-travelled trail. These "out-of-bounders" are the fastest growing users of avalanche terrain in Canada, and are also the group most in need of the knowledge and skills for safe backcountry travel.

Avalanche Awareness Night is free, and takes place Sunday, January 15, at 7:30 p.m. in the Max Bell Auditorium at The Banff Centre. Last year’s show was packed – so get there early.

For high resolution downloadable images:
http://www.banffcentre.ca/mountainculture/media/images/