Some Decembers bring deep snow, some stay on the dry side, but no matter what’s falling out of the sky, this month is a festive time to hang with friends at local bc events and brush up on avy education for the coming season. Here’s a list of fun and informative affairs around the U.S.
CALIFORNIA
TAHOE MOUNTAIN SPORTS: BEACONS AND BEERS
Wednesday, December 13 | 6 p.m. | Tahoe Mountain Sports, Truckee | More info
Learn basic and advanced techniques in avalanche rescue with experienced mountain guide Tom Carter and Tahoe Mountain School director Steve Reynaud. Get real outdoor beacon practice, and learn their history and the current technologies available.
COLORADO
COLORADO AVALANCHE INFORMATION CENTER: 10TH ANNUAL BENEFIT BASH
Saturday, December 2 | 5 p.m. | Breckenridge Riverwalk Center, Breckenridge | More info
This winter party— a benefit for the Colorado Avalanche Information Center—will include funky reggae music from Green Buddha, great beer from the members of Summit County’s United Brewer’s Association (SCUBA) and dinner provided by the local restaurant community.
COLORADO MOUNTAIN CLUB: CPR/AED FOR OUTDOOR RECREATIONISTS
Monday, December 4 | 6:30 p.m. | American Mountaineering Center, Golden | More info
The CMC Denver Group’s Wilderness First Aid School is offering a two-and-a-half-hour American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) course, taught by a Wilderness First Responder. The class will include wilderness scenarios and touch on how to revive choking victims.
COLORADO MOUNTAIN CLUB: BACKCOUNTRY SKI TOURING SCHOOL
Tuesday, December 5 | 6:30 p.m. | American Mountaineering Center, Golden | More info
Learn to cross-country ski and get prepared to ski backcountry trails using classic Nordic-style technique. The course can accommodate students ranging from never-been to long-time skiers looking to work on their skills.
COLORADO MOUNTAIN CLUB: AIARE AVALANCHE RESCUE
Friday, December 8 and Friday, December 15 | 7 a.m. | Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides, Boulder | More info
This one-day, stand-alone course is intended to be retaken on a regular basis in order to stay current on best practices in rescue techniques and gear. New participants will learn the basics of companion rescue, while return participants will expand their skill set with advanced topics and realistic scenario practice.
IDAHO
SAWTOOTH AVALANCHE CENTER: SMG AVALANCHE AWARENESS
Wednesday, December 6 | 7 p.m. | REI, Boise | More info
The winter backcountry traveler is this workshop’s target audience and the session introduces and explains where and why avalanches occur while providing a basic approach to managing risk in the backcountry. Learn to access local avalanche bulletins and weather reports, recognize basic signs of avalanche danger and learn simple ways to help avoid avalanche danger.
SAWTOOTH AVALANCHE CENTER: SMG AVALANCHE AWARENESS
Thursday, December 7 | 7 p.m. | The North Face, Boise | More info
The winter backcountry traveler is this workshop’s target audience and the session introduces and explains where and why avalanches occur while providing a basic approach to managing risk in the backcountry. Learn to access local avalanche bulletins and weather reports, recognize basic signs of avalanche danger and learn simple ways to help avoid avalanche danger.
MONTANA
FLATHEAD AVALANCHE CENTER: AVALANCHE AWARENESS
Tuesday, December 5 | 7 p.m. | Sportsman & Ski Haus, Whitefish | More info
The event is a free one-hour avalanche awareness presentation, and provides a way to refresh your avalanche knowledge or get introduced to the subject. Participation includes learning general information about avalanche hazards, how to avoid them and proper equipment for traveling in avalanche terrain.
FLATHEAD AVALANCHE CENTER: MOTORIZED AVALANCHE AWARENESS
Wednesday, December 13 | 6:30 p.m. | Penco Power Products, Kalispell | More info
The event is a free one-hour avalanche awareness presentation, and provides a way to refresh your avalanche knowledge or get introduced to the subject. Participation includes learning general information about avalanche hazards, how to avoid them and proper equipment for traveling in avalanche terrain.
UTAH
UTAH SKIMO: WASATCH SKI MOUNTAINEERING SERIES
Tuesday, December 5 | 7 p.m. | Brighton | More info
Become a member of UT Ski Mountaineering, a 501(c)(3) registered non-profit organization formed to promote and grow the sport of ski mountaineering in Utah. There are different membership levels with various costs all gaining your entry to the Wasatch Citizen Night race series (8 races).
UTAH AVALANCHE CENTER: BACKCOUNTRY 101 AVALANCHE CLASS
Thursday, December 7 and Thursday, December 14 | 6 p.m. | Red Butte Garden, SLC | More info
Spend an evening in the classroom and a day on the snow with the pros to learn how to get out in the backcountry, have fun and come home ready to do it again. Each one of our Backcountry 101 course is lead by a U.A.C avalanche forecaster. The instructor team is made up of local guides, ski patrol and professional riders, all with years of experience teaching avalanche education.
UTAH SKIMO: WASATCH SKI MOUNTAINEERING SERIES
Tuesday, December 19 | 7 p.m. | Brighton | More info
Become a member of UT Ski Mountaineering, a 501(c)(3) registered non-profit organization formed to promote and grow the sport of ski mountaineering in Utah. There are different membership levels with various costs all gaining your entry to the Wasatch Citizen Night race series (8 races).
UTAH AVALANCHE CENTER: SNOWMOBILE AVALANCHE & RIDING SKILLS
Wednesday, December 27 | 5:30 p.m. | TBD, SLC | More info
Learn riding and avalanche skills from the pros in a one-evening/one-day class with a Utah Avalanche Center forecaster. Riding in the backcountry is safer and more fun when you understand avalanches and have solid riding skills. Nobody wants to be that partner who can’t be part of the decisions making process or be counted on during a rescue.
WASHINGTON
THE MOUNTAINEERS: EVERETT AIARE LECTURE 1 OF 3
Monday, December 18 | 6:30 p.m. | Seattle Program Center, Seattle | More info
This is the classroom component for lecture one of three of the Everett AIARE avalanche class. In this course you learn basic ways to identify avalanche danger and manage risk in backcountry terrain.
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Check out local avalanche courses in your area at Backcountry Magazine’s Avalanche Resources page. To have an event listed on this page, email louise@backcountrymagazine.com.
Hey everyone! Just had Jon Miller of Backcountry United on the Colorado.FM podcast. Great update on what they are up to and a virtual education in public land issues. Great organization to support!
https://www.colorado.fm/backcountry-united/