Canada Approves Drone Based Avalanche Mitigation Technology

For nearly 80 years, avalanche crews in Canada have relied on risky and expensive methods to keep mountain slopes safe. These include firing World War II artillery, dropping explosives from helicopters, and sending technicians into dangerous terrain. While effective, these approaches put people at risk and cost a lot to run.

A Canadian drone company, AVSS, believes it has a better way. The company just received nationwide approval from Transport Canada to use its SnowDart system for avalanche control. Instead of helicopters or heavy artillery, AVSS can send drones into avalanche-prone areas to drop low-cost, eco-friendly explosives. The system, called the Precision Avalanche Management System (PAMS), uses flight-planning software, autonomous navigation, and SnowDarts to trigger controlled avalanches before they become dangerous. The drones also collect detailed data, helping crews plan better for future missions.



Related: How Avalanche Mitigation Has Evolved in Utah and Beyond





AVSS has been working on this technology since 2020, testing different drop mechanisms and explosives while navigating strict regulations on storage and manufacturing. They received support from Transport Canada and FEDDEV to develop and improve the system. Now, with the new approval in place, AVSS is ready to make the technology available to ski resorts, mining companies, and government agencies in Canada and abroad.

Compared to traditional methods, drones are cheaper to operate, require fewer staff, and can fly in conditions that might ground helicopters or shut down fixed Remote Avalanche Control Systems (RACS). Most importantly, they keep people far away from hazardous zones.

While drones are unlikely to replace every existing avalanche control method, they offer another tool that can make the job safer, faster, and more efficient. AVSS hopes to prove that what once took hours—and sometimes put lives at risk—can now be done in minutes at a fraction of the cost.



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