Ever wondered when the digital age would confuse more than it helps?
Today I’m experiencing that exact situation. We’ve always wanted a current and accurate directory of avalanche hot lines and websites to exist on WildSnow.com, so I got started with construction today. Information template was my list of hotlines that existed here in the right sidebar, but to flesh it out I did some crazy web browsing, landing on a ton of “avalanche hotline” lists.
The lists I found have a smattering of accurate info for backcountry skiing (some more, some less). Sadly, many are larded with so many wrong numbers and bad links they make a mockery of our so called “information age.” Yeah, it’s hard to keep all the info on a website up to date, but you’d think something like avalanche safety numbers and hyperlinks would be maintained for accuracy, or done as a link to a list somewhere else with a better chance of staying current. But noooooo.
So, without further adieu, we introduce WildSnow.com’s attempt at maintaining an accurate list of avalanche hotlines and websites. To that end, if you feel so inclined please check it out and leave feedback/corrections as comments on this blogpost. In return, we’ll try to keep the list as updated as humanly possible, and even date it with a “last updated” stamp (what a concept, eh?).
Beyond that, we suggest (but will be amazed if it happens), that those websites who don’t have the wherewithal to keep their avalanche resource lists up-to-date would simply remove them from the web.
Our avalanche hotline directory is here, or get to it via the menu above.
Thanks everyone.
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.
