Alberta Renews Avalanche Canada Funding After Months of Uncertainty

Avalanche Canada has secured another three years of funding from the Alberta government, ending months of uncertainty that had left the organization preparing to potentially cut programs as early as this fall.

The province will provide $250,000 annually for the next three years, matching the amount Avalanche Canada received under its previous agreement, which expired in March.

Avalanche Canada had asked the province to increase its contribution to $300,000 annually to help account for inflation. CEO Gilles Valade previously told Bow Valley Insider that even the higher amount would not restore Alberta's contribution to the same share of the organization's budget it represented when the $250,000 funding level was introduced in 2015.

Still, the three-year commitment provides the certainty the organization said it urgently needed heading into the upcoming avalanche season.

“We’re extremely grateful to the Government of Alberta for its continued commitment to public avalanche safety,” Valade said. “This three-year funding provides important stability for Avalanche Canada and allows us to continue delivering essential avalanche safety services that Albertans rely on.”

Avalanche Canada received a letter from Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen on Friday, Aug. 14, informing the organization that its funding had been renewed.

The announcement came just weeks before Avalanche Canada said it would have to begin making difficult decisions about programming if provincial funding remained uncertain.

Youth education was among the first programs that could have been affected. Hiring for outreach positions typically begins around this time of year so educators can begin visiting schools and community organizations in September and October, before the avalanche season begins.

During the 2025-26 season, Avalanche Canada reached 4,163 students at 31 Alberta schools.

The organization also produces daily public avalanche forecasts and develops the curriculum used for Avalanche Skills Training courses delivered by independent providers.

With the funding now secured, Avalanche Canada expects its forecasting and education work in Alberta to proceed as planned, with regular avalanche forecasts beginning in late November.

The agreement continues a series of Alberta funding commitments to Avalanche Canada dating back to 2004. The $250,000 annual contribution has remained largely unchanged since 2015.

The funding comes as more people head into Alberta's mountain backcountry. Valade previously told Bow Valley Insider that backcountry use has grown significantly, while Alberta is also pursuing an expansion of winter tourism through its all-season resort strategy, including proposed developments in Kananaskis.

Last week, Valade warned that reducing avalanche education and outreach while encouraging more people into mountain environments could increase risk.

Loewen said the renewed funding will help Avalanche Canada continue providing safety information as backcountry recreation grows.

“More Albertans than ever are heading out to ski, snowmobile, hike, and explore our backcountry each winter,” Loewen said. “Alberta’s government is ensuring that Avalanche Canada is helping them do that safely.”