1. Plan ahead

Know visitor policies for your mountain destination. This winter, season-passholders have priority access, which means no day-of ticket sales at the window. Make reservations and purchase lift-tickets online prior to arrival.

2. Pack everything you might need

Your vehicle is your refuge this winter for booting-up and warming up. Save time by packing your own lunch and snacks and eating them at your car. Some lodges may have outdoor seating available. Bring blankets, hand-warmers, and spare clothing for when a dry set is needed. Carry hand-sanitizer.

3. Prepare to have limited indoor access

Most lodges will operate at limited or no capacity, and give priority to guests buying hot meals or grab-and-go food options. Restrooms will also have limited access; some ski areas may have outdoor porta-potties.

Editor’s Note: COVID restrictions, closures, and mandates vary by state, county, and public health district —be sure to check local public health guidelines for your mountain destination. Carefully consider travel to different counties and states, per WA State travel advisories. As of 12/18/20, in Washington State indoor dining is prohibited until at least Jan. 4, 2021; ski lodges are only open for food-service take-out and restrooms.

• Find the latest guidance for Wash. State here; state outdoor recreation guidance.
• For Panhandle Public Health information, which encompasses ski mountains in all of North Idaho, click here.

4. Physical distancing

Whether it’s the chairlift loading area or the lodge, stick close to your family group or those you traveled to the mountain with, and give others a wide berth—even on runs (like always, for safety’s sake). Chairlift-sharing will be restricted to family/friend groups (for most mountains).

5. Protective face coverings

Have a mask for everyone in your family or traveling group and wear it indoors. Check the COVID policies for your destination about whether a ski buff or gaiter can substitute, and the mask guidelines for outdoors.

6. Practice good hygiene

Pre-COVID, when life was carefree, wiping noses with gloved-fingers or a buff and farmer-blows were no big deal—not anymore. Bring facial tissues.

7. Pause your season as needed

Stay home if you or anyone in your household has any COVID-like symptoms, or has had close contact with anyone who recently tested for COVID and is awaiting results, or a close contact was recently been confirmed COVID-positive. Be prudent and quarantine at home; don’t be a potential COVID-spreader. Keep mountain staff and fellow skiers/riders safe and help ski areas to remain open.

Story published in the Family Winter Sports Guide in the Nov.-Dec. 2020 double issue. Special section sponsored by Ski the NW Rockies association.

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Schweitzer formalized its avalanche dog program in winter 2016-17. “Finding good handlers—someone who has the capability to do this job and has the education—is harder than finding good dogs,” says Thompson, who has 23 years of patrol experience. Annie, a Labrador retriever, was only eight weeks old when Thompson got her. She is the third search and rescue dog he has trained. At that time, he was still living in Colorado and patrolling at Beaver Creek Resort. He moved to North Idaho when Annie was two.

Avy dogs are “great mascots” for avalanche education and connecting and engaging with the skiing public, says Thompson. Dogs train year-round, and not only learn search and rescue skills, but also how to ride a chairlift, a snowmobile, and in a helicopter. Annie and her fellow Schweitzer avy patrol dogs, Abbey and Murphy, are sponsored by Dr. Tim’s, a pet food company, and by North Idaho Animal Hospital for vet care.

After hearing the news about the in-bounds slide at Silver, Thompson gathered his avalanche safety equipment and Annie and Abbey. “We weren’t there on the hasty search. We arrived about 2 hours in,” says Thompson. “The dogs were critical in finding skiers that first day. If people are buried without a beacon, an avy dog is the next best [way to find them].” Annie alerted searchers to the location of one of the deceased skiers.

The following day, Wednesday, Jan. 8, the search resumed when another skier was reported missing. Silver Mountain Ski Patrollers, Thompson and Schweitzer’s avy dogs, and patrollers from all the local mountains converged at the avalanche site. “Any time an unprecedented event like that happens, the community works together,” says Thompson. After he was able to investigate the avalanche, his preliminary report for IPAC detailed the avalanche as 300-feet wide and traveling more than 900 feet down the 16-to-1 ski run, having been releasing about 90 feet from the summit of Wardner Peak.

In-bounds avalanches happen at many ski areas, most occurring in a “controlled environment with explosives and mitigation techniques” conducted by professional ski patrollers, explains Thompson who is also a certified National Ski Patrol Level 1 avalanche instructor. “Our avalanche center’s niche is the recreation side, to educate and forecast and to give the public information and tools,” he says. The center provides online resources and in-person classes tailored to backcountry users, snowmobilers, and skiers. 

“We never would have heard of the Silver one if it had been released during patrol’s avalanche mitigation work that day…. For whatever reason, something different happened that day.” Despite the tragedy, Thompson isn’t alarmed. “When you start to do the numbers of how many people ski and how often this happens…99.9 percent of the time it’s safe,” he says. “The reality is Mother Nature has a mind of her own, and as much as we try to manipulate the snow, it’s not enough.”

He continues, “I think it’s important for people to understand that the possibility [of avalanche] is there. Does that mean you have to wear your avalanche beacon in-bounds? No. Should you? Why not— [it] does no good sitting in your car,” he says. 

“Avalanche beacons, shovels, and probes are great when you make a bad decision. But the best thing is to not make a bad decision,” he says, particularly with backcountry ski terrain. “The one thing that comes to mind is slope angle—if you avoid avalanche terrain, you’re not going to get caught in an avalanche. You can ski all day and make powder turns and not be on avalanche terrain. But if you’re going on the avalanche terrain, take the tools with you. Be able to identify if you’re in a spot that could avalanche.”

Angle awareness also applies to in-bounds skiing. “Usually your average blue run is tip-toeing into avalanche range. So that puts it into perspective. It doesn’t mean that there is a need to have heightened awareness. [Patrollers and mountain staff] manipulate the snow a ton, with snowcats and avalanche mitigation,” says Thompson.

At Schweitzer Mountain “half of the runs are steep enough to have a slide, but most don’t have a history of slides,” he says. Patrollers begin avalanche mitigation work early each morning and continuously monitor snow conditions throughout the day, “keeping our finger on the pulse of our snowpack,” explains Thompson. 

The public can have confidence in professional ski patrollers who undergo avalanche training, he says. “Ski patrol at Schweitzer and Silver take their job very seriously and open the terrain when it is safe.” Stay in touch with Schweitzer’s patrol dogs on their Instagram profile @schweitzer.avydogs.

[Photos courtesy of Schweitzer Mountain Resort]

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There’s a good chance if you spend any time in the village at Schweitzer you’ll run into Mark and Colleen White. These two unofficial Schweitzer greeters are hard to miss with their welcoming smiles, infectious laughter, and endearing Texas drawls. Spending time with them on the mountain is delightful in any season.

They both rip it up on the slopes during winter and are staples at Schweitzer’s summer events. Mark’s comedic nature is complimented by Colleen’s exuberance for adventure, and the two of them live life at Schweitzer to the fullest. It’s only after you’ve fallen under their charm that you realize something is missing. That would be Mark’s right arm. 

On a beautiful day in January 2017, Mark (58), Colleen (46), and their son Ashton (26), all passionate snowboarders, headed over to Little Blue Ridge Run to take advantage of some excellent mid-season conditions. “We had just gotten off the T-Bar, and strapped into our bindings when I said, ‘party of three, let’s go!’” explains Mark. “Less than a minute later, I was buried under the snow.” 

The accident happened so fast that Colleen and Ashton weren’t even aware Mark was missing. “We wondered if we had passed him so we headed to Stella and started asking people if they had seen him. At this point, I was 80% scared and 20% mad,” Colleen explains. “On the lift, I tried to call him and it went to voicemail. As soon as we got off Stella, I went straight to ski patrol.” 

At the same time Colleen and Ashton were starting to worry, Mark was wedged tight between two trees just off Little Blue with a severed artery causing him to lose a substantial amount of blood. “Luckily, my saving snow angel, a skier on the run, saw the accident but couldn’t locate me in the trees,” says Mark. “Her husband skied on to get ski patrol, and she waited by the spot where she was certain I had left the trail.” When ski patrol arrived and began to search the area, one patroller noticed a black crescent shape. Trudging through the snow, he realized it was Mark’s helmet. 

Time is of the essence in any accident situation and more so when a patient needs critical care. There is no question for Mark or Colleen that the quick thinking of Schweitzer’s ski patrol staff saved his life that day. Once Mark was airlifted to the hospital, his condition was determined to be severe. He had his clavicle, shoulder, and humorous repaired with metal bars and plates. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to repair the core nerve in his right arm, and it was amputated in July of 2017. 

Flash forward to another sunny day at Schweitzer, this time it’s January 2019. Mark and Colleen have just finished a day of riding and they are happily chatting about their runs. “We work from our home in the White Pine, and so when we can get out to ride, we do,” says Colleen. “It was the big question if Mark would snowboard again, but this is what we love and where we love to be.”

“Schweitzer is our happy place still,” adds Mark. “After the accident, I waited to see if I could snowboard. I practiced on small hills only going about 18 feet the first time and that felt huge! I follow a pretty strict criteria now for riding. If on any given day I have three things not in sync, I don’t go. I’m looking to feel strong, have good weather, go when the mountain’s not too crowded, and I don’t head to unfamiliar terrain if I’m with new friends or guests. If any three of those aren’t in alignment, I’m back in the condo chilling.” 

For Mark the hardest part isn’t riding with one arm. He’s still working on healing and coping with some lingering pain from the accident. “Snowboarding really helps me fight off the periodic melancholy. Exercise helps distract me from the pain and the realization that I’m not the same person I was physically two years ago. Losing an arm is pretty humbling. But it’s also been unbelievably cool.” 

Mark and Colleen feel that the accident solidified their connection to the Schweitzer community. “We fell in love with this place when my parents moved from Texas to Moyie Springs 27 years ago,” says Mark. “As soon as we saw an opportunity to work remotely, Colleen and I knew we wanted to live here. Even after everything, this is where we want to be. Some days are hard for me on the mountain. I still get anxious when I’m riding Little Blue, but when I’m on my board and I’m in the zone, I’ve found my balance. Until I fall over that is!”

Dig Chrismer landed in Sandpoint 8 years ago with her four children after several years ricocheting around the world. These days she’s the marketing manager for Schweitzer Mountain Resort and is on a mission to prove that telemark skiing isn’t dead. 

The post On the Board Again: When Tragedy Strikes, Keep Riding appeared first on Out There Venture.

In fact, I’ve previously grown four entire limbs in utero. Inasmuch, it would be relatively plausible to assume that I could grow myself a new hamstring. There’s always a surgical option as well, but seeing as I’m a nutritionist, it seems like I should at least try the you-are-what-you-eat methodology and rump roast myself back to health.

As many of us outdoors folk (or those of you who take the gym super serious) can attest, injuries happen. This year alone I managed to separate the majority of my hamstring from the pelvis, and, in an attempt to complete that tear, dislocated my opposite shoulder. Even my best efforts did not meet my insurance deductible. But the real reason I’m trying to avoid surgery is because those hospital gowns are never very flattering.

The thing about these soft tissue injuries is that they take a long time to heal. Like… entire ski seasons. The other thing about soft tissue injuries in the joint is, not letting it heal leads to chronic inflammation, which leads to arthritis, which leads to no more ski seasons ever. They also require a kind of passive healing process that makes most of us want to hibernate in a bottle of wine or an endless pint of ice cream (or both). We commonly stare with blinking eyes at our health care experts. Rest?

There are many psychologists out there exploring the mental and emotional impact of the injured athlete and some of the most challenging things they face is the aspect of having to wait for the body to do what the body does (heal) on its own clock. What if we could actively take part in that process and feel less like standers-by as we witnessed measurable improvement? What if we could grow ourselves some new limbs?

Helping our soft tissue recover requires rest and cellular activity. The body needs to push things into and out of the cells, needs to remove debris from the injured site, build scar tissue or repair damage. It requires not only a lot of energy, but also the ingredients to make this happen. Both the environment and the nutrients must be appropriate to an optimal healing process. And since we all get injured from time to time, here are my favorite nutritional rehabilitation tricks:

1. Stop drinking alcohol. Yeah, no one ever wants to hear that, especially this time of year. Alcohol is pro-inflammatory and an immune suppressant, two things we just don’t need when recovering from an injury. It also disrupts our blood sugars and our precious sleep—those key hours when our resting body can do most of its healing work. For how long? It depends on the injury, but this hamstring of mine will enjoy a year of sobriety. That’s how much I want to grow a new leg.

2. Watch the sugar. And remember that sugar comes in a lot of forms—empty carbohydrates like bread and white rice, crackers, and fruit cakes. First of all, if you can’t move as much, you really don’t need the extra calories. If you need to heal, you really can’t afford empty Everything that goes in should be nutrient-dense. Sugar is pro-inflammatory, too. This isn’t buzzword bingo; it literally increases the amount of cytokines in our bloodstream. These little messengers of our cells send signals that increase inflammation and suppress inflammation and are key to the immune and healing process.

3. Traditional bone broth. Every. Day. The hype is real. Bone broth is loaded with collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin, gelatin, and essential minerals (not to mention protein!). This is the very stuff your own tissues are made out of. We don’t have a lot of science on Grandma’s recipe, but there is a myriad of science supporting the benefits of consuming the specific compounds in bone broth and their essential role to our health. Get a slow cooker to save your dollars and make yourself some chicken soup. Then drink the stuff out of your thermos all afternoon. It’s a perfect replacement for that sugary mocha or spiked cider.

4. Be your own guinea pig. I’m not suggesting you drop a ridiculous amount of cash on snake oil, but do be open to trying methods and means you haven’t tried before. I’ve seen no less than twelve witchdoctors in an attempt to pamper this tattered limb and the hobby may well have replaced my running habit. I learned that acupuncture reliably reduces my pain and that I can actually sleep with needles in me. I learned that prolotherapy brings out the sailor swearing in me. And I learned that Tiger Balm should never be rubbed into a part of my body that is that close to other parts of my body.

And of course, eat your vegetables. Your body is doing some underground work. Supply it with the love and tenderness it needs, and it will not disappoint you. Then do like your doctor said, and rest. //

Ammi Midstokke tried to sever more than one limb from her body this year. She’s currently on lock down and swimming slow, careful pool laps. Last month, she wrote about the wonders of a good soup.

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Proper preparation for winter driving will help make it physically safer and mentally less-stressful for you. Here are four key essentials to ensure your drives on mountain roads and urban streets are nothing to fear.

Winter Maintenance

First, ensure your vehicle’s battery, wiper blades, and fluids are winter-ready. Install winter wiper blades and stock-up on winter-specific washer fluid that won’t freeze—you’ll use a lot over the course of the winter. If your car was recently serviced and has summer washer fluid, add washer antifreeze.

Parking in a garage or carport whenever possible protects the battery and prevents fluids from freezing. And it’s a good idea to keep the gas tank half-full to prevent fuel lines from freezing.

Being able to see clearly through the windshield is critical, so be sure to have chips in a windshield repaired before they turn into a crack during sub-freezing weather.

Tires

All-season tires are recommended when temperatures are regularly less than 40° F. First, check the side walls of your vehicle’s current all-season tires to examine tread depth, and then decide if you need new all-season tires or want to invest in winter (snow) tires, advises Jeremy Dierks, owner and manager of Perfection Tire’s downtown location.

“If your all-seasons are half-worn, get new tires,” he says. In addition to tires of all types, his shop provides full-service automotive service and stocks winter supplies, such as winter washer fluid and wiper blades, batteries, and more. “If you’re familiar with driving in Northwest weather, then you may not need snow tires. Although winter tires make a big difference,” adds Dierks.

Though most newer vehicles come with all-wheel drive, drivers shouldn’t rely on that alone while driving in challenging winter road conditions. Skiers and snowboarders who frequently drive mountain roads know that all-wheel drive is only as safe and stable as the tires on that vehicle.

“Tread compound is half as stiff on snow tires,” Dierks says, which results in 50% traction improvement and greater control on snow and ice. “If you’re not confident driving in the snow, it’s better to get snow tires.”

Dierk’s top recommendation for winter tires is the Nokian® Hakkapeliitta. Based in Finland, Nokian invented snow tires in 1901, he says, and manufactures high-end tires that go through rigorous testing.

Next, he suggests the American-constructed Cooper® snow tires or the Vitier® “budget line” of tires. Blizak® is another high-end tire brand, well-known by alpine winter sports enthusiasts. “They’re the second best snow tire available – made in Japan – and cost as much or more than Nokian.”

Studded snow tires are becoming a thing of the past because they’re usually unnecessary, Dierks says. Today, “90% of winter tires are stud-less.” In Washington State, there is a per tire fee for installation of studded snow tires. But investing in studded snow tires may be best for those without four-wheel drive vehicles. “It’s cheaper than buying a new car,” he says.

In Washington, vehicles can only have studded tires on from November 1 to the end of March (learn the latest regulations and requirements). In Idaho, studded snow tires are legal from October 1 to April 30, but Idaho Department of Transportation advises to only use if conditions While it may be legal to use the tires, officials advise against it unless necessary because of snow-related road conditions. 

As for when to get your new tires, Dierks says anytime after November 1st is a good time, especially to beat the “snow rush.” He advises getting your new all-season or snow tires by mid-October, and wait to take off snow tires until April. Weather “below 70° is not going to be detrimental to winter tires, though it’s best to keep them off dry roads,” he says.

No matter what tires you choose, be sure to check tire pressure monthly. (Vehicles manufactured in 2009 or newer come installed with low tire pressure indicators.) In cold weather, a “tire typically loses 3-7 pounds of pressure,” he says. For example, a tire with 44 psi (pounds per square inch), which is a typical tire, can decrease to 37 psi.

Emergency Supplies

Another important winter driving safety tip is to keep a bin of winter emergency supplies inside your vehicle. Every year there are stories of people getting stranded in heavy snow.

Those who’ve traveled I-90’s Snoqualmie Pass know that traffic accidents, slide-outs, and avalanche control measures can cause multi-hour delays and back-ups on remote stretches of highway.

A well-stocked kit should include a blanket or sleeping bag, clothing layers, hand warmers, a flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries, first-aid kit, food items, water bottles, shovel, battery jumper cables, flares, and matches.

Traveling Safely with Ski & Snowboard Gear

While traveling, skis and snowboards should not be loosely stored inside a car. In case of a skid, quick stop, or collision, heavy gear can injure occupants. Instead, use a roof-mounted ski rack carrier or cargo box—Yakima®, Thule®, and Inno® are the three top brands—to safely secure gear while driving.

SUVs and trucks can more safely stow skis and boards in their rear cargo areas, and short youth skis can also be stowed in a trunk or rear hatch.

Sponsored by: 

Originally published as “Getting Your Ride Ready for Winter Driving” in the October-November 2017 issue.

[Updated: Dec. 2021]

Read 3 Ways To Plan for Safe Winter Driving.

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Dreams of 10,000 foot days still haunt me, even though I’ve been more likely to bonk or cramp up after climbing less than half that on backcountry ski tours these past few busy years. So I’m writing this in part to motivate and inspire myself to set bigger goals, take pre-season training more seriously, and have more fun this season once the snow flies and the backcountry snowpack starts to stabilize. Since long hours hunched over a computer, 6-pack swilling, and epic stroller walks don’t exactly make for the best backcountry ski season fitness regimen (my zone of expertise as of late), I enlisted highly motivated and perennially fit local backcountry skier and all-around outdoorsman, Mountain Gear employee, outdoor recreation advocate, and friend Travis Nichols for some thoughts on getting ready for the season ahead.

How many years have you been backcountry skiing?

TN: Since 2002 when I borrowed backcountry skis from EWU’s EPIC Adventures outdoor program and walked out into the wheat fields near campus to take a few turns.

How much vertical do you climb on an average tour?

TN: The vertical always depends on the group, conditions, and objectives, but my goal is by spring to be able to knock out 10,000 feet of climbing in a day and still have energy for more fun the next morning. For kicking off the season, my objective is to balance strength, dynamic energy and cardio—lots of long, slow, distance-covering touring. I’ve learned through injury to wait until later in the season when rocks are covered to take on bigger skiing objectives.

What does your fall training routine look like?

TN: We all know the best way to get prepared is to maintain fitness throughout the year. I aspire toward this but reality is, life gets busy. The less I slide backward the better. I try to fill my summer and fall with activities I love. Staying in motion is one of the biggest principles of success, which may mean dancing, yoga, running, biking, or climbing. Then in the fall I start on strength conditioning and more intense (for me) trail running. The NordicTrack makes its way back into our living room to build hip flexors and the kettlebell comes back into rotation to build core strength.

What other early season rituals do you have to get ready for the backcountry season?

TN: Not watching ski films. Seriously. I get too excited, then I go skiing in the backcountry in December and get hurt. I try to temper my enthusiasm until later in the year when winter fully hits. I also have enjoyed going to the Northwest Snow and Avalanche Workshop in Seattle for the past couple of years. It’s a little geeky but it’s the presentation of the latest research on snow science. That’s my way to get in the right mindset of snow safety, risk management, and how to start building new information into my practice. I also go to other snow safety events here in the Inland Northwest, re-read the classic snow safety literature, and get out with others to practice with my avalanche beacon. //

Stoked on Backcountry Skiing or Splitboarding? Don’t Miss These Pre-season Events

The Essentials for Backcountry Skiing

October 18, Mountain Gear (2002 N. Division, Spokane)

Join Mountain Gear, G3, and Scarpa to learn about the gear required to transition from inbounds skiing to backcountry touring. This is a great opportunity to learn the basics and ask questions you may not have had the chance to ask in a friendly setting. All participants will take home a free G3 ski strap, and there will be a silent auction benefitting the Northwest Avalanche Center. This free event runs from 7-9 p.m., with an rsvp required at Bit.ly/MGEARSKI.

13th Annual Winter Wildlands Alliance Backcountry Film Festival

December 1, Panida Theater, Sandpoint (6-9 p.m.)

The Winter Wildlands Alliance Backcountry Film Festival, produced by the Boise-based nonprofit, Winter Wildlands Alliance, includes a series of inspiring films celebrating the human-powered backcountry ski and snowboard experience. This event serves as a great pre-season gathering place for some of the Inland Northwest’s most passionate backcountry riders, and you won’t leave without being stoked beyond belief for the good times waiting in the mountains this winter. Sandpoint-based Selkirk Outdoor Leadership & Education (aka SOLE) hosts the film festival in Sandpoint each year to raise funding for its Snow School Experience program, which is part of the nation’s largest on-snow outdoor science program. Soleexperiences.org //

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However, in the movies, we don’t see everything that goes into ensuring professional riders’ safety: having the proper gear set up (transceivers, shovel, probe, ABS packs, etc.), awareness that the slope is free of hazards such as cliffs and knowing the key elements of snow safety. Every effort is made to ensure ski movie athletes’ safety on the mountain. Professional guides are always present evaluating the conditions, weather and any hidden dangers that may lie in the descent below. Even with all those precautions, accidents happen and that’s when the training for survival skiers learned in their backcountry safety courses kicks in.

For everyday skiers and riders, having the knowledge base for accessing the terrain outside of resorts is imperative for recreating in these environments safely. It is critical to take at least a basic avalanche awareness class, or better yet, a multi-day course. These are relatively inexpensive ways to increase your knowledge for hiking, riding or sledding in potential avalanche areas. Additionally, they cover all the latest technology for avalanche survival, from air bag systems, different types of transceivers, GPS tools (such as SPOT), to resources for finding local weather and avalanche bulletins. Avalanche training has morphed over the years to provide different levels, from recreational to professional. Below are local classes, courses and resources that cover all the desired levels. For more info and updated class listings and to get plugged into the Inland Northwest backcountry scene, check out Panhandlebackcountry.com. 

American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education (AIARE) Courses

Selkirk Outdoor Leadership & Education – AIARE Level 1
Dates: January 16-18, 2016 (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Location: Schweitzer, Lookout Pass, Mt. Spokane, and/or Flatiron Mt., Mont.

Cost: $295 member, $325 non-member

Selkirk Outdoor Leadership & Education – AIARE Level 1
Dates: January 24-26, 2016 (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Location: Schweitzer, Lookout Pass, Mt. Spokane, and/or Flatiron Mt., Mont.

Cost: $295 member, $325 non-member

Selkirk Outdoor Leadership & Education – AIARE Level 2
Dates & Location: TBD
Cost: $425 member, $475 non-member

More Info on SOLE’s AIARE Courses
928-351-SOLE (7653)
info@soleexperiences.org
Soleexperiences.org/avalanche-education-experiences

Local Avalanche Awareness Classes

SheJumps Intro to Avalanche Safety: Women’s Avalanche Awareness Class
Date: November 5, 2015 (2 hour class, time TBA)

Location: Gonzaga University

More info: Shejumps.org/region/pacific-coast

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center Avalanche Awareness Classes

Date(s): TBA

More info: To set up your own group class (approx. 1.5-2 hours), contact Kevin Davis, 208-265-6686 or Idahopanhandleavalanche.org

NIC Outdoor Pursuits Avalanche Awareness Clinic
Dates: December 9 (3 hour class) and December 12 (field session)
Location: McLain Hall Outdoor Center and Coeur d’Alene National Forest
Cost: $75

More info: Nic.edu/events

Note: NIC also rents avalanche transceivers, shovels, probes, backcountry touring skis and splitboards

Selkirk Powder Company Avalanche Level 1 Class 

You have three opportunities to take this class that includes two weekday evening classroom sessions (5-9:30 p.m., locations vary) and one-day field session in the Selkirk Powder backcountry (8 a.m.-4 p.m.).

Dates: Class #1, December 9 & 10 (classroom, Sagle Senior Center) & 13 (field); Class #2, January 13 & 14 (classroom session, Mountain Gear) & January 16 or 17 (field); Class #3, February 10 & 11 (classroom session, Mountain Gear) & February 13 or 14 (field).

More info: 208-263-6959 or SelkirkPowder.com. // (Larry Banks)

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