As we head towards another ski season the number of backcountry setups seems to be increasing every year. Backcoutry tools do not always enter into peoples minds or pocketbooks. I know that some are repeat customers that have the tools and the knowledge. But there is a younger generation buying into the untracked powder via the resorts. The new lexicon being “sidecountry”. Just because you enter the backcountry from a resort does not mean you are skiing an area that is free from avalanches or is patrolled regularly.
The backcountry is a wonderful place, less people, great snow (sometimes), quiet. With all the benefits comes responsibility on the part of all backcountry travelers to be aware of changing conditions and how to determine what is safe and what is not. The West Central Montana Avalanche Foundation (WCMAF) is your best source for learning these skills. They have a season packed with classes and seminars to teach you how to get there and back safely. Below is this season’s schedule of classes, now, bring on the snow!
The following classes, workshops and lectures are scheduled. Level 1 classes are open – follow instructions below for registration. These programs are a cooperative effort by Missoulaavalanche, UM Outdoor Program and the West Central MT Avalanche Center –
December 2 – Introduction to Avalanche Awareness: Part 1 – Join the West Central Montana Avalanche Foundation for an introduction presentation to avalanche awareness and the avalanche phenomenon. The lecture includes recent statistics and a discussion on the interaction of terrain, weather and snowpack on snow stability. Steve Karkanen with the West Central Montana Avalanche Center will present the program. 6:30pm at REI in Missoula. Registration Limited. http://www.rei.com/stores/
December 4 – Introduction to Avalanche Awareness: Part 2 – Join the West Central Montana Avalanche Foundation for a follow-up presentation on the introductory avalanche lecture. A brief review of avalanche awareness and a slide show and discussion of suggested protocol for recreating in avalanche terrain, human factors and winter backcountry and snowpit tools. Steve Karkanen with the West Central Montana Avalanche Center will present the program. 6:30pm at REI in Missoula. Registration Limited. http://www.rei.com/stores/
December 4 – Avalanche Awareness Lecture – A one-hour introduction or refresher about avalanche awareness and the avalanche phenomenon. Free/no registration. Dudley Improta with the West Central Montana Avalanche Center will present the program. Wed. Dec. 4, 6pm North Underground Lecture Hall, University of Montana campus. http://life.umt.edu/CREC/
December 7 – Avalanche Transceiver Clinic – A beginning class on how avalanche transceivers work and how to use them. Sat. Dec. 7, 9am – 2pm at the UM Outdoor Program (East end of the UM Fitness Center). $15 includes instruction and transceivers. Call or visit the UM Outdoor Program to register: 243-5172. http://life.umt.edu/
December 11 – Avalanche Awareness Lecture – A one-hour introduction or refresher about avalanche awareness and the avalanche phenomenon. Free/no registration. Dudley Improta with the West Central Montana Avalanche Center, Wed. Dec. 11 6pm Stone Hall 304, University of Montana campus. http://life.umt.edu/CREC/
December 14 – Avalanche Transceiver Clinic – A beginning class on how avalanche transceivers work and how to use them. Sat. Dec. 14, 9am – 2pm at the UM Outdoor Program (East end of the UM Fitness Center) $15 includes instruction and transceivers. Call the UM Outdoor Program to register: 243-5172 http://life.umt.edu/
January 10 – 13 – Level 1 Avalanche Class @ Yurtski Level 1 Class at Yurtski. This class follows recommendations from the American Avalanche Association. Dudley Improta AAA Certified instructor will lead the course. Contact Yurtski for more information. http://www.yurtski.com or 406-721-1779
January 17-20 – Level 1 Avalanche Class @ Yurtski Level 1 Class at Yurtski. This class follows recommendations from the American Avalanche Association. Dudley Improta AAA Certified instructor will lead the course. Contact Yurtski for more information. http://www.yurtski.com or 406-721-1779
January 22, 23, 25, 26 – Level 1 Avalanche Class in Missoula follows the Level 1 recommendations of the American Avalanche Association. There are two evening sessions and two full field days. Class is 5-9pm Wed. and Thurs. January 22 & 23 in McGill Hall 210 on the UM campus and January 25 & 26 in the field. The cost is $240 and because of wilderness restrictions the class is limited to 8 participants.
*Participants must have an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.
*Participants must have the ability and the tools to travel in the winter backcountry and negotiate inconsistent snow conditions on snowboards or skis. Split boards or skis with climbing skins are the most efficient choice; snowboarders with snowshoes are a second choice.
*Cost will be $240 per participant. The cost includes one-way lifts for the field days.
* Call or visit the UM Outdoor Program (East end of the UM Fitness Center) to register: 243-5172
January 28 & 29 – Avalanche Awareness Workshop, University of Montana – This workshop consists of two evening lectures and a field trip. The field trip will be conducted for skiers and snowboarders. The workshop is essentially free; except for a lift fee for the ski / snowboard field day. The one-way lift fee will be approximately $12. There is no registration for the evening lectures and field trips will be organized at the end of the second lecture. Skiers or snowboarders attending the field session must be able to easily negotiate ungroomed intermediate slopes. For more information contact info@missoulaavalanche.org. Lectures – Tuesday January 28 and Wednesday January 29 – 6-8pm North Urey Lecture Hall – University of Montana Campus. Field Trip – Feb. 2 for skiers and snowboarders http://www.missoulaavalanche.
February 6, 7, 8, 9 – Level 1 Avalanche Class in the Bitterroot – follows the Level 1 recommendations of the American Avalanche Association. There are two 4 hour classroom sessions and two field days. Class is Thursday and Friday February 6 & 7 from 5:30-9pm at the Ravalli County Search and Rescue Building (2029 N. 1St St. [Hwy 93], Hamilton MT. Grey and blue building next door and north of the Riverside Conoco Station North side of Hamilton – 300 feet south of the bridge crossing the Bitterroot River) and February 8 & 9 in the field.
The class is limited to 14 participants.
*Participants must have the ability and the tools to travel in the winter backcountry and negotiate inconsistent snow conditions on snowboards or skis. Split boards or skis with climbing skins are the most efficient choice; snowboarders with snowshoes are a second choice.
*Participants must have an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.
*Cost will be $200 per participant. Participants are required to have a Lost Trail Ski Pass or purchase a one-way lift ticket for each day.
Call or visit the UM Outdoor Program (East end of the UM Fitness Center) to register: 243-5172
February 19,20,22,23 – Level 1 Avalanche Class in Missoula follows the Level 1 recommendations of the American Avalanche Association. There are two evening sessions and two full field days. Class is 5-9pm Wed. and Thurs. February 19 & 20 in McGill Hall 210 on the UM Campus and February 22 & 23 in the field. The cost is $240 and because of wilderness restrictions the class is limited to 8 participants.
*Participants must have an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.
*Participants must have the ability and the tools to travel in the winter backcountry and negotiate inconsistent snow conditions on snowboards or skis. Split boards or skis with climbing skins are the most efficient choice; snowboarders with snowshoes are a second choice.
*Cost will be $240 per participant. The cost includes one-way lifts for the field days.
* Call or visit the UM Outdoor Program (East end of the UM Fitness Center) to register: 243-5172
February 27, 28, March 1, 2 – Level 1 Avalanche Class in the Bitterroot – follows the Level 1 recommendations of the American Avalanche Association. There are two 4 hour classroom sessions and two field days. Class is Thursday and Friday February 27 & 28 from 5:30-9pm 9pm at the Ravalli County Search and Rescue Building (2029 N. 1St St. [Hwy 93], Hamilton MT. Grey and blue building next door and north of the Riverside Conoco Station North side of Hamilton – 300 feet south of the bridge crossing the Bitterroot River) and March 1 & 2 in the field near Lost Trail Pass ski Area.
The class is limited to 14 participants.
*Participants must have an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.
*Participants must have the ability and the tools to travel in the winter backcountry and negotiate inconsistent snow conditions on snowboards or skis.
*Cost will be $200 per participant. Participants are required to have a Lost Trail Ski Pass or purchase a one-way lift ticket for each day.
Call or visit the UM Outdoor Program (East end of the UM Fitness Center) to register: 243-5172