The Snow and Avalanche Foundation of Scotland was originally formed in 2001. SAFOS has a number of roles including:
- the provision of advice to sportscotland on the sportscotland Avalanche Information Service;
- providing a forum for discussion of, and support for, research on avalanches in Scotland;
- promoting a better understanding of the avalanche problem amongst all who use the hills in winter conditions in conjunction with representative bodies; and
- giving advice on course content and syllabi for all levels of avalanche training and supporting appropriately qualified providers.