Once avalanche experts determined the conditions that create potential avalanche situations, predicting avalanches became a relatively simple matter of recognizing those conditions. In response to avalanche disasters in the past, many governments in mountainous areas have set up avalanche centers to constantly evaluate avalanche conditions and alert the public of possible dangers. Public financing of avalanche forecasting centers has been increasing in the Alps since the first programs were started there during the 1950s. Presently, the most popular winter recreation areas throughout the world provide information on avalanche conditions to visitors. The Yellowstone Avalanche Center in Wyoming, for example, employs two full-time and one part-time avalanche expert to keep a close watch on conditions in the area.

In addition,the skiing and outdoor recreation industries, which have a large stake in preventing recreation disasters, have taken an active interest in avalanche forecasting. Ever since budget cuts...