While there have always been news stories about avalanches, some incidents more sad and deadly than others, this Silver Mountain avalanche is a home heart-break story. Mountains will still be our happy place, and powder days will still bring us joy. But now we do so with the knowledge of this cautionary chapter in our regional history. We would be remiss to not learn lessons from our sorrow.
Mountain Safety – Avalanche Awareness Read More »
News Release from Silver Mountain Resort (KELLOGG, ID) – On Tuesday morning at approximately 11:00 a.m. there was an avalanche in the Chair Four basin on a run called 16-to-1. Medical personnel/ski patrol and volunteers responded immediately and started search and rescue efforts. A total of seven people were caught in the avalanche. Four skiers
Avalanche at Silver Mountain Resort Read More »
Whether you ski, snowshoe, snowboard or snowmobile in the backcountry, recognition of avalanche danger is an essential and potentially lifesaving skill. This session introduces and explains where and why avalanches occur and provides a basic approach to managing risk in the backcountry. Learn to access local avalanche bulletins and weather reports, recognize basic signs of
Avalanche Awareness with Northwest Avalanche Center Read More »
Dudley Improta, an avalanche specialist with the West Central Montana Avalanche Foundation (WCMAC), carefully digs a pit on a finger ridge, high on the slopes of Morrell Mountain, in the Swan Range east of Seeley Lake. He uses the blade of his aluminum shovel to shave the sides, isolating a cross-section of the snow as
Inland NW Avalanche Awareness Read More »
Mountain Gear ($1,049-$1,149) Touring in the backcountry can be risky. Avy danger is a real threat that backcountry enthusiasts do their best to avoid or mitigate. Enter Black Diamond’s Avalanche Airbag Packs. From one-lap runs to all-day tours, the Black Diamond JetForce Pack is built to store essential gear and provide an innovative addition to
Black Diamond JetForce Avalanche Airbag Packs Read More »
The Northwest Avalanche Center is a collaboration between the U.S. Forest Service Northwest Avalanche Center and the non-profit Northwest Avalanche Center. It provides mountain weather and avalanche forecasting along with free intro to avalanche awareness classes. (Nwac.us) The Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center, which works with Idaho Parks and Recreation, provides current advisories. It offers free
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I rolled into the foyer of an outfitter that had inundated Facebook with advertisements about a $5 Avalanche Awareness event. The atmosphere was that of distant relatives conversing at an annual reunion rather than the cinematic and sonic overload and the packed-in crowds at the mountain film festivals. The event facilitator started by showing slides
Explore the Winter Wilds Safely—Be Avalanche Aware Read More »
Riding season is upon us, including the influx of powder-enticing ski/snowboard movies. As we watch in awe as the pros rip and slash through the scenes, the allure of riding powder in the backcountry becomes ever more present in our own dreams. We think, “Maybe this year I will venture out into the side/backcountry,” to
Avalanche Safety Classes: If You’re Going to Ski or Ride the Backcountry, Be Prepared Read More »
Itching to get up to the mountain? Dreaming of first tracks? Yeah, so are we. In between praying for powder and inventing a snow dance, check out these two ski and snowboard film premiers. Spread the Shred Video Premiers will take over the Garland Theatre for its second year on November 6th. Five bucks will
Snow Film Avalanche Read More »
Jonckers skiing in Idaho. In case you haven’t heard about the avalanche threat in the backcountry here’s a report from OTM writer Jon Jonckers: I can tell you first-hand from backcountry skiing in the Selkirks above Priest Lake (near the Sundance Burn), these are the worst avalanche conditions I have ever seen. And it seems
