Avalanche Info for the Western States

[Lushbomb]

Sled Access skiing and Boarding is in a growing trend and i know some folks new to the idea probably head out thinking the snowpack is just like there local resort. WRONG

Resorts are controlled conditions hence the term 'Slack Country' - resort's have avalanche controlled backcountry.
Sled Accessing is real backcountry riding and avalanche hazards will always be something to look for. so be advised and stay up to date with the current snowpack info.
Know before you GO! because knowledge is your best tool in survival

http://www.avalanche.org/ - covers most of the western states areas.

AK. Chugach Avalanche Center - http://www.cnfaic.org
AK. Main Alaska Avalanche Info Center - http://www.alaskasnow.org
AK. Juneau Urban Avalanche Advisory - http://www.juneau.org/avalanche
AZ. Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center - http://www.kachinapeaks.org
WA. Northwest Avalanche Center - http://www.nwac.us
CA. Mount Shasta Avalanche Center - http://www.shastaavalanche.org/advisory.htm
CA. Central Sierra's Avalanche Center - http://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/advisory
CA. Eastern Sierra's Avalanche Advisory - http://esavalanche.org/advisory
CO. Colorado Avalanche Center CAIC - http://avalanche.state.co.us/index.php
ID. McCall/Payette Avalanche Center - http://www.payetteavalanche.org
ID. Sun Valley/Sawtooth Avalanche Center - http://www.sawtoothavalanche.com
MT. Bozeman/Gallatin Avalanche Center - http://www.mtavalanche.com
MT. Glacier COuntry Avalanche Center - http://www.glacieravalanche.org
MT. Western and Centeral Montana - http://www.missoulaavalanche.org
NH. Mount Washington Avalanche Center - http://www.mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.org
UT. Utah Avalanche Center - http://utahavalanchecenter.org
WY. Bridger/Teton National Forest Avalanche Center - http://www.jhavalanche.org/index.php


CANADA the western side - http://www.avalanche.ca/cac/bulletins/cac-reports



feel free to discuss or suggest info to add to this post as knowing is the best battle to win in survival.

 

[WR]

Heres a great site for info and reports in western Canada.
http://www.avalanche.ca/cac/bulletins/cac-reports

 

[RalleyTuned]

For those in WA there is a great awarness type class put on for FREE by the David Peddigrew foundation. I went to the one last year at alpy and it was great. Not a fully certified class but the teacher was incredible and we learned a TON. We also did some beacon practice (maybe we should list beacon parks as well??) and he taught us how to dig snow test pits. I highly recommend them to anyone getting into the BC. They have them at Stevens Pass as well

http://www.thedavidpettigrewmemorialfoundation.com/

 

[Lushbomb]

what is cool about the int0rwebs these days is you can find lots of cool knowledgable info on avalanche training and online classes..

i sincerely believe an in-person on the mountain training is the real way to go.. but for those who want to just get informed a little..

these are just a couple links out of many many webpages to get you informed.

http://oldschool.tetongravity.com/conwayscorner/avilesson.htm

http://access.jibc.bc.ca/avalancheFirstResponse/course.htm

 

[RalleyTuned]

BCA (Back Country Access) has helped setup a number of Beacon Practice Parks that are Free for anyone to use. I have been to the one at alpental several times and it really is great practice. If you can't afford to get to a fully certified avy class, I would say this should be a bare minimum before traveling into the BC. You can go by yourself or with a group of people, and it's actually pretty fun

Here is the list from the BCA site on all the locations of their practice parks:
California

• Heavenly
• Kirkwood
• Mammoth
• Mt. Shasta
• Squaw Valley

Colorado:

• Arapahoe Basin
• Aspen Highlands
• Beaver Creek
• Breckenridge
• Loveland Basin
• Monarch Mountain
• Purgatory/Durango
• Steamboat Resort
• Telluride
• Vail
• Winter Park

Idaho

• Bogus Basin
• Brundage Mountain Snowcat Tours

Montana

• Big Mountain
• Bridger Bowl
• Moonlight Basin/Big Sky
• Trail Head/Missoula
• West Yellowstone

Oregon

• Mt. Hood, The Mazamas

Utah

• Manti Skyline at Big Drift Trailhead
• Noblett's Trailhead/Uintah Mountains

Washington

• Alpental
• Alpine Safety Awareness Program
• Mt. Baker Ski Area
• Crystal Mountain
• Mission Ridge
• The Mountaineers/Snoqualmie Pass
• Stevens Pass Ski Area
• White Pass Ski Area

Wyoming

• Jackson Hole
• Teton Pass
• Togwotee Pass

Canada

• Kananaskis Country, AB
• Marmot Basin, AB
• Mount Norquay, AB
• Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School, AB
• Sunshine Village, AB
• Blackcomb, BC
• Fernie, BC
• Golden (Quartz Creek), BC
• Kicking Horse, BC
• Kokanee Glacier Lodge, BC
• Mount Carlyle Lodge, BC
• Red Mountain, BC
• Rogers Pass, BC
• Sol Mountain Lodge, BC
• Whistler, BC
• Whitewater Ski Resort, BC
• Centre d'avalanche de la Haute-Gaspesie, Chic Chocs

 

[ND]

There was a beacon park setup at Mt. Bachelor when I was there last winter also.

I've done the MEC100 class at Baker before and it was great, about half the day spent in the class room discussing avoiding getting yourself into the recovery situation in the first place and the second half outside doing actual searches.

 

[akstormin]

For any AK peeps out there we have a free beacon park at Alyeska near the base of the Tram where Chugach Powder Guides loads their snowcat. Its free, fun and often shows you that you aren't as good as you thought.