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). We do not generate original avalanche or weather data; we reorganize and draw insights from existing reports.

2. AI Summaries & Transparency

"Doctor's Orders" are generated using Large Language Models (LLMs).

  • Verification Required: AI may misinterpret data. We display the raw source data alongside every summary so you can verify the inferences against official bulletins.
  • Possibility of Error: Summaries are only as good as the input data. Forecasts can be wrong, and AI can fail to capture nuance. Never rely solely on an AI summary for life-safety decisions.

3. User Accounts

While basic features are public, certain contributions (such as creating private zones) require an account. You agree to:

  • Provide a valid email address via Google Auth or Magic Link.
  • Be responsible for all activity that occurs under your account.
  • Not use the service to post inappropriate, spammy, or irrelevant data.

4. Assumption of Risk & Liability

Backcountry travel is inherently dangerous.

By using this website, you explicitly agree that:

  • You assume all risks associated with mountain travel, including injury or death.
  • Snow Doctor and its creators shall not be liable for any damages resulting from your use of this service.
  • You will cross-reference this tool with official resources and your own field observations.

5. Third-Party Data

We are not affiliated with Avalanche Canada or Environment Canada. Official bulletins must be verified at their respective websites. All intellectual property rights for the underlying data remain with their owners.

6. Zone Profiles & Terrain Data

Zone boundaries, aspects, and ATES ratings are approximations based on community consensus. They cannot account for localized wind effects or micro-terrain. Do not use this app for precise route-finding or micro-navigation.

7. Stash Conditions Dashboard & Scoring

Authenticated users can save personal terrain stashes and view a computed conditions score for each stash relative to the current avalanche forecast and weather data. This feature is subject to the following terms:

Scores are decision-support tools, not decisions.

The conditions score is a weighted algorithm that combines terrain characteristics (elevation band, ATES rating), weather signals (cloud cover, precipitation, wind, temperature), and avalanche danger ratings sourced from Avalanche Canada. The output is intended to help you organize and compare your saved terrain — it is not a go/no-go recommendation. You remain solely responsible for all field decisions.

Algorithm limitations.

The scoring algorithm uses approximated elevation bands and aspect data. It does not account for local wind loading, aspect-specific snowpack history, terrain traps, group skill level, or real-time field conditions. A high score does not mean a location is safe; a low score does not mean a location is unsafe. Always read the full Avalanche Canada bulletin before heading out.

Your stash data.

Terrain stashes you create are stored privately and associated with your account. They are not shared publicly. Stash data (elevation band, aspect, ATES rating, coordinates) is used only to compute conditions scores within the app. You can delete your account and all associated stash data at any time via the account menu.

Scoring weights may change.

The algorithm's weights and thresholds are subject to change as we refine the model. We will document significant changes in the blog. User-configurable scoring presets are planned for a future release.

8. Account Termination & Deletion

We reserve the right to suspend accounts that do not meet our terms. You may terminate your account at any time using the "Delete Account" feature in the menu. Upon deletion, all your personal data is permanently scrubbed from our systems.

9. AI Chat Assistant

The "Ask the Doctor" chat feature allows signed-in users to ask follow-up questions about the AI-generated snow conditions summaries. By using this feature, you agree to the following:

  • Informational only. AI chat responses are supplementary and do not constitute professional avalanche forecasting, guiding advice, or any safety certification. You are solely responsible for all decisions you make in the field.
  • No substitute for professional judgment. Do not rely on this chat as a replacement for qualified mountain guides, certified avalanche courses, or official forecasting bulletins from Avalanche Canada or other recognized agencies.
  • Powered by Google Gemini. Your messages and the current zone summaries are sent to Google's Gemini API to generate responses. No personal account data is included. See Google's privacy policy for how they handle API data.
  • Requires sign-in. This feature is available to registered users only. Conversation history is not stored on our servers — it exists only for the duration of your session.

10. Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of British Columbia, Canada. Any disputes shall be resolved in the courts of British Columbia.