A review into the deaths of 24 people in avalanches last winter – 19 of them snowmobilers – has recommended a series of measures to help prevent similar deaths in the future.

The death review panel was set up by B.C. Coroners service last November after the highest number of avalanche deaths in B.C. in decades. Its recommendations were published this week.

The report's purpose was to find ways to prevent similar deaths and it took advice from snowmobile clubs, adventure tourism industry members and search and rescue professionals.

They concluded that more information on avalanche conditions should be aimed directly at sledders, who have different needs to backcountry skiers because they are able to access more terrain than before thanks to modern snowmobile technology.

The Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC) has already begun this process, with sled-specific bulletins at www.avalanche.ca/sled and with postings on sled websites by its avalanche forecasters.

Snowmobile user groups have been asked to form a joint committee and work with the CAC to raise avalanche awareness and cultivate a culture of avalanche safety within the snowmobiling community.

The panel also asked the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association to support the not-for-profit CAC's efforts.

The panel recommended more information on the risks of mountain snowmobiling should be delivered to snowmobilers when they buy and insure their sled.

Eight of the snowmobilers were from Alberta and a series of highway signs giving details of the avalanche information line have already been placed near popular snowmobiling sites on or near the B.C.-Alberta border, including at Crowsnest Pass.

The report also recommends more signage on trails using Parks Canada's standard avalanche terrain classification.

Avalanche skills courses with content aimed specifically at snowmobilers are also a priority.

John Kelly of the Canadian Avalanche Centre, which contributed to the panel, welcomed the report's findings this week.

He added: “Last year was a year where the snow conditions and developments within the industry conspired to bring this issue to the forefront.

“This year we have been saved by the good snow conditions not, to be honest, because of the actions we have taken so far. It is possible we are in a changing regime and the snow pack is going to be much worse in the second part of the season.

“We really hope that at least we have the attention and focus of most people and can work to make them aware of any avalanche risks that might be coming.”

Kelly added that the centre, which is a not-for-profit, has increased its workload this year and extra funding will be needed in coming months to enable it to continue to work at the same level in the future without falling into deficit.

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