Prince George, B.C.- Avalanche Awareness Days are taking place this weekend at a number of locations  throughout B.C. including,  Prince George, McBride, Smithers and Terrace.

The time couldn't be better,  as just yesterday  the Canadian Avalanche Centre issued a special public avalanche warning for most regions of B.C.  ( see previous story)

The  weekend events are aimed at encouraging those who use the back country to take  advantaged of training opportunities so they  stay safe while  enjoying the outdoors. "When you make the decision to go into the backcountry, you need to  be able to take care of yourself and your partners” says Gilles Valade, executive director of the Canadian Avalanche Centre, “That means  avalanche rescue equipment, first aid supplies and awareness of the  risk you're taking.”

Just last weekend,  four snowmobilers were rescued from the back country in the Robson Valley  in two separate incidents.  While neither was  avalanche related, the people involved were not injured and were able to wait until help arrived  because they were packing the proper equipment.

Between Dec. 23, 2013 and Jan. 5, 2014, 298 search and rescue volunteers responded to 34 incidents involving 70 people engaged in  winter recreational activities in the backcountry. This compares to 66 search and rescue volunteers responding to 10 incidents involving 18 people between Dec. 9 and 22, 2013.

You can  access a complete list of  educational events by clicking here.

The McBride event is set for  tonight and tomorrow.   The “Throttle Decisions”  video will be shown  tonight at the Gigglin’ Grizzly Pub,  and  events for Saturday will  take  place  on Lucille Mountain at the safety cabin.

In Prince George,  the events are set for Sunday,  with a Backcountry Ski Avalanche Awareness trip to  the Sugarbowl ski area which will highlight assessment and discuss local snow pack conditions. 

Smithers  event has  yet to be detailed,  but in Terrace,   an event is set for Sunday on Shames Mountain  where there will be an info tent and  an opportunity  for  participants to brush up on your skills with avalanche transceivers, take part in back country travel talks and snow pit demos.