Calendar
Before ever venturing into the backcountry you should educate yourself. You can learn to be avalanche aware in a number of different ways. Start by reading books and web research. Enroll in a quality avalanche workshop, with field-oriented training. Take note of any avalanche activity. Travel with an avalanche savvy partner and ask questions. Look, listen and feel the snow pack. Use our avalanche advisories along with other snow and weather reports to plan your recreational outing. This data is only a small part of the needed information. Check newspapers, news reports, other websites, talk to friends, and watch for environmental indicators.
When you leave for a trip into the backcountry, have a plan. Good communication among group members is essential. Leave a trip plan with a responsible friend who is not traveling with you. Carry the needed backcountry equipment. Probe pole, avalanche beacon, and a shovel are mandatory tools, practice, practice, practice using these tools. Talk about the best route selection among your group. The best avalanche rescue plan is to not get caught in one, but if one does occur, have a strategy already thought out.
If an avalanche accident does occur don't try to go for help, YOU ARE THE HELP. Most rescue teams take hours to get to the scene. A victim only has a 50% chance of survival if buried 30 minutes. The first 15 minutes are crucial in recovering an avalanche victim.
Educate yourself to be avalanche aware and you will live to enjoy the mountains for many years.
Check out our: Interactive Avalanche Safety Tutorial.
Complete List of Upcoming Events and Training
| Avalanche Education Courses | |
| CNFAIC Events | |
| Special Events |
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| Mon - Sep 17 -- Fri - Sep 21 |
International Snow Science workshop in Anchorage We cordially invite you to join this biennial meeting of snow scientists and avalanche practitioners to continue striving toward the ISSW motto of, “The Merging of Theory and Practice.” Traditionally, ISSW has provided the avalanche industry a forum to: discuss theories, explore innovative concepts, and maintain the state-of-the-art practice in the field of avalanche work. Visit www.issw2012.com for more info |
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| Thu - Oct 25 |
Fall Fundraiser at the Bear Tooth Come on out at 8pm to support your local Avalanche Center at the annual Friends of the CNFAIC fund raising event at the Bear Tooth Theater. This year we are excited to have Andrew McLean (from www.StraightChuter.com fame) give a slideshow about his last 4 years of skiing/guiding for Wild Alpine in Wrangell- St Elias National Park.
Visit www.cnfaic.org for more info |
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| Fri - Oct 26 7:00 PM |
Benefit for Hatcher Pass Avy Center at Backcountry Bike & Ski, Palmer, 7pm The Friends of the Chugach Avy Center present Andrew McLean giving a talk on Skiing the Alaska Range Family of Denali, Foraker and Hunter.
Silent auction with great gear.
Tickets $10 on sale now at Backcountry Bike and Ski in Palmer. |
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| Sat - Oct 27 |
REI Open House Join the Friends and other local Non-profits for an open house at REI from Noon to 4pm. We'll have our Friends gear for sale, including our awesome new cotton Hoodies with a Turnagain Pass design on the back. It's also a great time to tell us how the Avalanche Center is doing and to renew your membership. |
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| Fri - Nov 02 -- Sun - Nov 04 |
Advanced Mountain Weather Course - 3 days This course will focus on winter weather forecasting in Alaska. It is designed for
personnel involved in making short term, 3 to 5 day, mission critical weather forecasts in
mountainous terrain. This course will begin with some general meteorology as a
foundation for understanding of how the atmosphere works. Orographics and how the
mountains interact with the weather will be explored in-depth.
Details:
Instructor: Jim Woodmency of Mountain Weather.
Tuition: $500. Enrollment limited to 15 students.
Contact: Kevin Wright to reserve your seat today. kevin@chugachavalanche.org |
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| Thu - Nov 08 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM |
FREE Fireside Chat Series - Topic: Basic Awareness and Terrain Management Location: Forest Service Ranger Station in Girdwood.
Join CNFAIC forecasters for a series of free informal discussions and presentations on basic avalanche awareness and terrain management. Perfect for backcountry beginners and a great review for seasoned winter enthusiasts. Snowmachiner's, skiers and snowboarders of all ages are welcome! 1st of 4 talks on Avalanche Awareness.
Topic: Introduction to Avalanche Awareness and terrain management. |
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| Thu - Nov 15 |
Backcountry Babes presents the Backcountry BrewSki Film Event at the TapRoot A showing of films that highlight the beauty and fun of the backcountry ski experience, the people who enjoy it, and the dangers that exist in partaking in the fun. Tickets are $15 Doors open at 5:30 for the 6-9pm show. Proceeds go to promote Avy education, particularly for women. |
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| Thu - Nov 15 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM |
FREE Fireside Chat Series - Topic: Snowpack and Mountain Weather Location: Forest Service Ranger Station in Girdwood.
Join CNFAIC forecasters for a series of free informal discussions and presentations. Perfect for backcountry beginners and a great review for seasoned winter enthusiasts. Snowmachiner's, skiers and snowboarders of all ages are welcome! 2nd of 4 talks on Avalanche Awareness.
Topic: Snowpack and mountain weather. |
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| Thu - Nov 15 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
Hans Saari Memorial Fund benefit for youth ski mountaineering camps The Hans Saari Memorial Fund presents three recipients of the HSMF Ski
Exploration Grant. Joe Stock will be signing his new guidebook "The Alaska Factor: Backcountry Skiing in Southcentral Alaska." Paige Brady will show her film from an expedition to Mt. Russell and Luc Mehl and co. will give a slide and video presentation of their 370-mile unsupported traverse of Mt. Logan. Proceeds go to HSMF Youth Ski Mountaineering Camps. Thursday, Nov. 15., 7:00 to 9:00 at Snowgoose, $10 |
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| Sat - Nov 24 |
Alaska Avalanche School Lecture Series Recognition of Avalanche Hazard, 1 Day, $50
Nov 24 Sat, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
Location: AAS Anchorage
www.alaskaavalanche.com for more information |
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| Sun - Nov 25 |
Alaska Avalanche School Workshop Avalanche Rescue Workshop, 1 Day
Nov 25 Sun, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, Location: Hatcher Pass
www.alaskaavalanche.com |
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| Thu - Nov 29 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM |
FREE Fireside Chat Series - Topic: Human factors Location: Forest Service Ranger Station in Girdwood. Join CNFAIC forecasters for a series of free informal discussions and presentations. Perfect for backcountry beginners and a great review for seasoned winter enthusiasts. Snowmachiner's, skiers and snowboarders of all ages are welcome! 3rd of 4 talks on Avalanche Awareness.
Topic: Human factors |
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| Fri - Nov 30 -- Sun - Dec 02 |
Backcountry Babes - Women's Avalanche Level 1 AIARE L1 course catered to women. Teaches avalanche info, terrain mgmt, & rescue skills. Empowers women to be more confident & part of group decision-making. Register: www.backcountrybabes.net |
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| Thu - Dec 06 |
First Aid & CPR course for Backcountry Skiers Backcountry Babes is offering a First Aid & CPR course for Backcountry Skiers Dec 6, 5-9 pm in Anchorage.It will be 4 hrs of classroom first aid & CPR instruction focused on avalanche rescue and other winter backcountry situations.
It is $40 for the classroom portion & can be combined with a couple of online self-study education courses if someone is interested in doing it for an actual First Aid & CPR certification. Otherwise, it is just really great knowledge for backcountry users.
For more info:
Jenna Boisvert
www.backcountrybabes.net
babesinthebc@gmail.com
(907) 444-8590
Inspiring Women Through Outdoor Adventure |
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| Thu - Dec 06 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
Alaska Avalanche School Lecture Series Weather for the Backcountry Traveler, 3 hours
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Location: AAS Anchorage
www.alaskaavalanche.com for information |
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| Thu - Dec 06 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM |
FREE Fireside Chat Series - Topic: Rescue Location: Forest Service Ranger Station in Girdwood. Join CNFAIC forecasters for a series of free informal discussions and presentations. Perfect for backcountry beginners and a great review for seasoned winter enthusiasts. Snowmachiner's, skiers and snowboarders of all ages are welcome! This will be the final talk in the 2012 Fireside Chat Series.
Topic: Rescue |
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| Sat - Dec 08 -- Mon - Dec 10 |
Alaska Avalanche School Level 1 course Saturday-Monday, 3 Days, Location: Hatcher Pass.
www.alaskaavalanche.com for more information. |
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| Wed - Dec 12 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
Backcountry Film Festival BC Babes is hosting the Winter Wildlands Alliance Backcountry Film Festival in Girdwood at the Sitmark Wed Dec 12th, 7-9pm. It is part of their Snow Film Series. Proceeds go to Winter Wildlands Alliance, the Backcountry Babes avalanche education scholarship program, and funding for a future women's grassroot backcountry ski film. Tickets are $10 |
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| Thu - Dec 13 |
TGR Movie Night at the Bear Tooth The Friends group will have a table with our gear for sale, come get a cool new Turnagain Hoody for your partner.....and become a member too to support your Avy Center.
Award winning producers Teton Gravity Research are pleased to announce Further, the second installment in the Jeremy Jones snowboard movie trilogy, Deeper, Further, Higher, presented by O'Neill. 10:15 pm
Join F-CNFAIC and Wild Alpine Guides for the Alaska Premier of Jeremy Jones's new film "Further" set in Wild Alpine's home range - the legendary Wrangell Mountains. Tickets - $10 On Sale at the Bear Tooth Box Office |
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| Thu - Dec 13 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
Alaska Avalanche School Workshop Avalanche Observers/ Level 3 Prep Course (SWAG Module Update)
3hr evening and 1 Day field, Dec 13 and 15
Thurs, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Location: AAS Anchorage
Sat, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Location: TBA
www.alaskaavalanche.com for information |
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| Sat - Dec 15 -- Mon - Dec 17 |
Alaska Avalanche School Level 1 course Saturday-Monday, 3 Days, Location: Hatcher Pass.
www.alaskaavalanche.com for more information. |
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| Sat - Dec 15 |
Alaska Avalanche School Workshop Avalanche Observers/ Level 3 Prep Course (SWAG Module Update)
3hr evening and 1 Day field, Dec 13 and 15
Thurs, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Location: AAS Anchorage
Sat, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Location: TBA
www.alaskaavalanche.com for information |
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| Sat - Dec 15 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM |
Avalanche Awareness - Seward An Avalanche Awareness Class will be offered December 15, 2012 at Providence Seward Mountain Haven Facility starting at 9AM—3PM in Seward (2203 Oak Street, Wesley Commons ). For directions and additional information you can contact me (Alex McLain) at (907) 288-7710. This class is FREE! Contact Alex if you are interested so he can have an idea on how many students. |
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| Wed - Dec 19 7:00 PM |
TGR Movie Premiere to benefit the Friends of Chugach NF Avalanche Info Center TGR is proud to announce the Girdwood premiere of Teton Gravity Research film "The Dream Factory" This film has been called an "Ode to Alaska" with a healthy serving of Chugach footage! This fundraising event takes place at the Sitzmark Bar & Grill - Alyeska Resort. Tickets are $10, 21+ unless accompanied by parent or legal guardian. Proceeds to benifit YOUR local Avalanche Information Center! |
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| Fri - Dec 21 -- Sun - Dec 23 |
Alaska Avalanche School Level 1 course Friday-Sunday, 3 Days, Location: Hatcher Pass.
www.alaskaavalanche.com for more information. |
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| Fri - Dec 21 -- Sat - Dec 22 |
Alaska Avalanche School Youth "Backcountry 101" Youth Avalanche Program “Backcountry 101”, 3hr evening and 1 Day field.
Fri, 5:30-8:30pm Location: Girdwood
Sat 9am to 5pm Location: Alyeska Ski Resort
www.alaskaavalanche.com for more information |
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| Thu - Dec 27 -- Sat - Dec 29 |
Alaska Avalanche School Level 1 course Thursday-Saturday, 3 Days, Location: Girdwood & Turnagain Pass.
www.alaskaavalanche.com for more information. |
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| Sat - Dec 29 |
Alaska Avalanche School Workshop Avalanche Rescue Workshop, 1 Day, $110
Sat, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, Location: Glen Alps
www.alaskaavalanche.com |
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| Sat - Dec 29 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM |
Observer Training Day (non-motorized) Join CNFAIC avalanche forecasters for a day in the field! The purpose of these observer training sessions is to teach and encourage users to submit quality snowpack, weather and avalanche observations for inclusion into daily avalanche bulletins. Open to skiers and split-boarders at an intermediate level and up. Sign up by emailing Kevin Wright at kevin@chugachavalanche.org Space is limited. |
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SNOW AND AVALANCHE HOTLINE (907) 754-2369 If you have comments regarding CNFAIC operations or winter recreation managment, please email kevin@chugachavalanche.org
© 2013 Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center. All rights reserved. |
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