AVSS, a Canadian company specializing in hardware and software solutions for drones, is pleased to announce that the company has completed its first round of on-mountain avalanche control testing. This testing involved AVSS’s Precision Avalanche Management System (PAMS), which includes the company’s SnowDart™ hardware and flight planning software.
AVSS, best known for its ASTM F3322-compliant drone parachute recovery systems and guided delivery products, had previously announced its expanded technology suite with PAMS regulatory approval in August 2025. Now, with AVSS completing live, energetic testing in Jasper National Park on an existing avalanche control route, the company can continue its development program, which includes data collection from an additional 300 live tests in simulated and real environments over the next 60 days.
The PAMS technology suite leverages AVSS’s deep understanding of airdrop dynamics and the use of energetics/explosives. The PAMS technology includes AVSS’s flight planning software to allow for safe automated missions within a geozone that drops the low-cost, eco-friendly, and consumable SnowDarts™ from the AVSS drop system to predetermined avalanche control areas.AVSS’s Avalanche Technology DevelopmentIn 2020, AVSS began developing the core tech and required regulatory approvals to build the PAMS technology suite. After several years of testing various versions of drop systems and delivery systems technology while navigating the regulatory approvals for energetic storage and manufacturing, AVSS received a contract from Transport Canada to assess the avalanche technology performance for rail management, under the Innovation Solutions program. Later in 2025, AVSS received an additional contract for its dual-use potential and to complete 300 live tests for deeper data insight.
Like most use cases in the drone industry, the option of using a drone is a net benefit. Will drones completely replace traditional methods? Most likely, no. However, a drone can become a new tool that provides avalanche technicians with the opportunity to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and safety.
Founded in 2017, AVSS started developing compliant safety products for commercial drones. These safety products are used worldwide and can be purchased from more than 70 partners. In 2020, AVSS expanded its product offerings with guided and unguided delivery systems. The delivery systems enable critical resupply when landing a drone, helicopter, or small airplane is not an option. In 2025, AVSS announced its newest innovation, the Precision Avalanche Management System (PAMS), for the proactive management and mitigation of avalanches.
