The sportscotland Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) has mapped all the reports of Scottish avalanches since 1999 so walkers and climbers can clearly see where and when avalanches have taken place. As well as being a fascinating map to browse, the 3000 or so avalanches graphically presented on the maps complement the avalanche hazard warning produced by SAIS as a useful planning tool for hill walkers and climbers.
The SAIS relies on people out on the hills to report avalanche incidents, either directly witnessed, or evidence such as avalanche debris. Knowledge of recent avalanche activity is one of the best possible indicators of snow stability and helps the Service provide more accurate hazard warnings. The SAIS has developed a new online avalanche reporting form where the location of the incident can be marked on a map, you can view the new form here. The SAIS is urging all hillwalkers to report any avalanches using this system to help verify the avalanche hazard, and crucially, to provide important information to others who intend to go into the hills, aiding decision making and enabling good route choice in the winter mountains.
The Scottish avalanche maps and more information about avalanches and how to avoid them can be found at the SAIS website.