AVSS collaborates with the Government of Canada through Innovative Solutions Canada to perform avalanche control work with drones.
Press Release + Noah Note
AVSS is proud to share results from its Precision Avalanche Management System (PAMS) testing in collaboration with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Department of National Defence/Ministère de la défense nationale, Parks Canada, Transport Canada - Transports Canada, and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) through the Innovative Solutions Canada program. The testing of the PAMS occurred in February and March 2026 in Jasper, Alberta, Canada.
The testing results from using a drone to support avalanche control work with dropping explosives not only demonstrated the operational benefits and potential use cases for avalanche professionals, but also the collaborative opportunities for Canadian-owned companies to commercialize their new intellectual property and technology with end users from the Government of Canada.
In February and March, AVSS traveled to Jasper National Park to conduct avalanche control with live explosives. The first set of tests demonstrated AVSS’s system and operational abilities for safely operating drones for avalanche control work. The second set of tests gathered key system and operational data to demonstrate the potential operational use cases of the technology. This avalanche control testing program also seems to be the first documented regulatory-approved use of drones for avalanche control work that involved dropping live explosives in Canada.
Testing from this program has demonstrated the potential value of drone technology and how it can be incorporated into existing avalanche control programs as a new tool to their existing safe operations. Findings from this testing included ideal drop heights, best practices for safe drone operations for avalanche control, regulatory approvals for drone avalanche control work, and validation in varying operational environments. Furthermore, use cases were explored where a drone can augment the existing operations.
AVSS will be highlighting some of the lessons learned and features of the technology at the upcoming Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) conference in May in Penticton, B.C. As well, the findings from this initial testing program have provided AVSS with the ability to demonstrate a remotely controlled drop system and an automatic safe arming system, which does not arm the initiation system until the drone has reached a safe altitude from takeoff, and reached a position within the drop radius of the target avalanche path.
The genesis of this technology is derived from AVSS’s guided delivery product line. However, unlike the guided parachute system, this does not include parachutes. The PAMS technology includes an aerial drop system integrated with a drone, a pull wire initiation system, and a sled housing that holds a traditional cast booster, which can be remotely dropped through the remote controller.
About ISC: Innovative Solutions Canada is an initiative designed to stimulate technology research, development, and commercialization of Canadian innovations. The program's Challenge Stream and Testing Stream help startups and small/medium-sized businesses (SMEs) overcome technology testing and development hurdles so that they can produce globally-demanded products and services, while also improving government operations.
Noah Note: Funny how this is announced as the CAF is cutting support for the existing avalanche program in collaboration with Parks Canada. The fact is that resources are already being stretched thin by existing operation deployments, and the soon to be retirement of the 105mm from the RCA removes the suitable platform to continue with the program.
The funny thing is I remember hearing about this being on the chopping block two or three years ago, taking note that this was never meant as a permanent solution, more so one the CAF has been consistently renewing time and time again, save a brief time in the 90s.
As such new Solutions for avalanche control need to be discussed. Utilizing drones presents a possible solution that could be viably adopted by Parks Canada as compared to a C3. It's also possible that this service moves to a commercial collaboration with a partner like an AVSS. Tbere are options on the table here for replacement, and indeed, perhaps it is for everyone's best.
AVSS has a lot of cool concepts out there. They're best known for their line of Drone Parachutes, as well as they're autonomous, guided and unguided delivery systems.
They've been working on the Avalanche Management concept for a while under the name SnowDarts. The company received regulatory approval from Transport Canada last yeat to perform avalanche management with the company’s SnowDart system, though it's been working in close collaboration with ISC for a few years now.
No better time than now to showcase these kinds of concept! With the CAF taking a step back, there is a boatload of opportunity to jump on this niche issue.