+ technical program
We have created a dynamic technical program that builds on successful past conferences, highlights emerging areas of practice, and incorporates new scientific discoveries. The program was designed with the overarching goal of merging theory and practice, and it attempts to achieve this objective through focusing some of the session on avalanche risk management themes.
The program consists of Five KEY PresentationTypes:
ADVANCES IN UNDERSTANDING
These sessions provide the opportunity to present and learn about the newest leading-edge scientific findings. Ideally, we will all be enlightened with new knowledge, take away some wisdom to improve our practice, and become motivated to contribute to the frontiers of our understanding.
Avalanche Risk Management
These sessions will revolve around a core avalanche risk management sector (e.g. transportation corridors, ski resorts, backcountry guiding, public forecasting). Each session will kick off with a practical presentation that showcases an operational avalanche risk management program (e.g. Rogers Pass), highlights the core challenges, and sets the stage for how and where research and theory may help. The remaining presentations will stem from traditional scientific ISSW topics (e.g. snow cover modelling, dynamics, planning and engineering), that have some application or connection to the core operational challenges highlighted in the kickoff presentation. This concept will unite theory and practice while maintaining the thread of the session by:
o Moderators establishing and maintaining the core theme of the session.
o Presenters tying their work to the core theme.
o Attendees following the core theme through scientific presentations that link to a practical application.
o The Technical Committee selecting and guiding the theoretical topics into a session that maintains a clear connection to the core operational challenges.
Poster Sessions
The poster sessions are the perfect relaxed setting to engage with both the work and its creators. The social setting will stimulate discussions, networking, and the ultimate merging of theory and practice. These sessions will be organized around traditional ISSW topics like education, decision making, risk communication, and remote sensing.
Focus Sessions
These afternoon sessions will focus on emerging or specialized sectors of the avalanche profession and will run concurrently to separate panel discussions. The topics of these sessions are: 1) Exposed: Humans in Avalanche Terrain, 2) Terrain and Mapping, 3) Teamwork, Training and Resilience, and 4) Intelligent Systems.
Panel Discussions
Who doesn’t love a hotly contested debate on a fascinating topic in a smaller venue? The Rainbow Theatre holds a maximum of 250 people and provides the perfect arena for these discussions. These topics include: 1) AI in the Avalanche Profession, 2) Evolving Explosive Use Practice, 3) Ice and Alpine Climbing and 4) Big Line Riding.
