Jamieson, BruceHaladuick, Shane2014-09-232014-11-172014-09-232014Haladuick, S. (2014). Relating field observations and snowpack tests to snow avalanche danger (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/27597http://hdl.handle.net/11023/1789The avalanche forecast regions in Canada range from 100 to 50,000, far larger than the 10 km2 covered in a typical backcountry day. This difference in scale could cause the local avalanche danger to differ from the regional bulletin. This study assessed the relationship of field observations and snowpack tests with the local avalanche danger. Data were collected over 6 winters during 425 field days. Univariate and multivariate cross-validated classification trees were created using the observations to predict the local danger. The univariate trees show the critical value of an observation that indicates elevated danger. The multivariate trees show how the observations can be combined. These trees provide objective data that could form the framework of a decision support tool to help recreationists localize the danger. Contrary to popular belief, field observations were more valuable than stability tests for localizing the danger.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Engineering--Civilavalanche characteravalanche forecastingrecreationistmaster thesishttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/27597