The Starting Zone: At the Interface of Avalanche Science and Practice is an e-book specifically targeting avalanche professionals and advanced recreationists. The e-book is an essential resource for avalanche professionals, blending cutting-edge science with practical application for topics like snow formation in the atmosphere, snow metamorphism, spatial variability, avalanche release, avalanche mitigation, and avalanche forecasting. Building on the legacy of foundational texts like the Forest Service Avalanche Handbook, this modern, electronic format offers interactive features such as links, animations, and personalized notes. Inspired by the collaborative spirit of the International Snow Science Workshop, this book is designed as both a starting point for new avalanche professionals and a valuable update for seasoned experts. With input from leading scientists and practitioners, it’s a comprehensive, evolving guide tailored to the needs of those working to understand, forecast, and manage avalanches in a changing world.
THE AUTHOR
Karl Birkeland’s career includes more than four decades of snow and avalanche work, including ski patrolling, backcountry forecasting , working as an Adjunct Professor at Montana State University, conducting research as an Avalanche Scientist at the Forest Service National Avalanche Center (NAC), and serving as the Director of the NAC. While patrolling and backcountry forecasting, he earned a B.A. in Biology, an M.S. in Earth Sciences, and a Ph.D. in Physical Geography. His work has focused on conducting practical avalanche research, mentoring numerous graduate students and avalanche practitioners to participate in that research, and communicating those findings to avalanche professionals. Karl has authored or co-authored more than 50 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals and over 130 papers in the Proceedings of the International Snow Science Workshop since 1990. His co-authors include a broad swath of the avalanche community, from leading international researchers to avalanche practitioners. Karl has been recognized by his peers with both the Bernie Kingery (2008) and the Honorary Membership (2024) Awards from the American Avalanche Association.
