Terms of Use

Please read this carefully. By using Snow Doctor, you agree that you are solely responsible for your own safety in the backcountry.

1. Nature of the Service

Snow Doctor is an informational tool that aggregates and summarizes public data from third-party sources (such as Avalanche Canada and Environment Canada) for zones across British Columbia and Alberta.

We do not generate original avalanche, weather, or field data; we only reorganize and draw insights from existing data.

2. AI Summaries & Transparency

We use Large Language Models (LLMs) to help summarize complex weather and avalanche data. While we strive for accuracy, it is important to understand how this works:

  • Safeguards Implemented: We instruct the AI strictly against hallucinating (making up facts). We also implement self-auditing steps where the system attempts to gauge its own confidence and the representativeness of the data.
  • Transparency & Verification: To ensure you can verify the "Doctor's Orders," we display the raw source data alongside the AI summary. This is for you to be able to compare the inferences against the official source, as well as to draw your own takeaways.
  • Possibility of Error: Despite these safeguards, the summaries are only as good as the data it is provided with. The data comes from forecasts, which aren't always accurate, and field observations, which come from amateurs and professionals alike. Even so, the AI may still misinterpret or misrepresent the data.

3. Assumption of Risk & Liability

Backcountry recreation and travel is inherently dangerous and can result in serious injury or death.

By using this website, you explicitly acknowledge and agree that:

  • You assume all risks associated with backcountry travel.
  • Snow Doctor (and its creators/developers) shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from your use of this service.
  • You will not rely solely on this tool for decision-making.
  • You agree to hold the creators harmless from any claims, losses, or damages arising from your use of the site.

4. Third-Party Data

This website displays content sourced from:

  • Avalanche Canada: We are not affiliated with Avalanche Canada. Official bulletins should always be verified at avalanche.ca.
  • Environment and Climate Change Canada: Weather models are predictions, not guarantees.

All intellectual property rights for the underlying data remain with their respective owners.

5. Zone Profiles & Terrain Data Disclaimer

Snow Doctor displays generalized profiles of well-known backcountry zones. This information is compiled from community consensus, trip reports, topographical map analyses, and publicly available geographical facts. It is intended for high-level planning and educational purposes only.

Zone boundaries, aspects, elevation bands, and Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) ratings are approximations. A single backcountry zone often contains highly complex micro-terrain that varies significantly from our generalized profiles. You must not use these profiles for precise route-finding, micro-navigation, or localized hazard assessment.

Snow Doctor may use this terrain data to generate automated condition matching or AI summaries. Because this analysis overlays broad forecast models onto approximated terrain data, it cannot account for localized wind effects, changing snowpack conditions, or the specific line you choose to travel. The app may amplify errors if the underlying terrain estimations or weather models are inaccurate.

Backcountry winter travel is inherently dangerous. By using this tool, you acknowledge and agree that you assume all risks associated with relying on this informational data. Snow Doctor, its creators, and contributors accept no responsibility or liability for errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in zone profiles, or for any injury, loss, or damage arising from their use.

Users must apply critical judgment when viewing zone profiles. We strongly encourage cross-referencing this information with dedicated topographical mapping software, recognized local guidebooks, and the official daily bulletins from Avalanche Canada. Ultimately, safe travel depends entirely on your own certified backcountry training, field observations, and real-time decision-making.

6. Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of British Columbia, Canada. Even if you are accessing data for zones in Alberta or elsewhere, any disputes arising from the use of this website shall be resolved in the courts of British Columbia.