Far West Division Avalanche Program

The Far West Division is characterized by a wide range of terrain made up of steep slopes that frequently receive a deep and substantial snowpack that many parts of North America would only hope to see. 

Most if not all of our favorite ski areas and backcountry areas have these sorts of snowpack and slope characteristics.  In addition, the NSP Avalanche program is developed to meet the knowledge and safety procedures for both ski patrollers, as well as the general public.  Those avalanche fundamentals are captured within the topics of snow science, mountain travel, terrain analysis, effective companion rescue, and organized rescue. 

The NSP Avalanche courses are developed in collaboration with the American Avalanche Association, although the NSP Level 1 & 2 courses have the added topics that make up an organized rescue that are critical to the Incident Command System. 

Far West Division Avalanche Program Goal:

To provide quality avalanche courses that capture the essential knowledge topics including snow science, terrain analysis, companion rescue, and organized rescue.  The bottom line is how can I stay safe and avoid being caught in an avalanche.

Typical course offerings include standard Level 1 avalanche (SL1A), Level 1 for Rescue Personnel (L1ARP), and Level 2 for Rescue Personnel (L2ARP).  Other course offerings could include an Avalanche Awareness (AA) and Avalanche Safety and Rescue (ASR) courses.  The amount of time needed to cover the topics for each course are listed below.

During the past eleven years, the Far West Division has generated substantial course statistics. 

Last season we had an exceptional year with 15 avalanche courses and 265 students!  An above average season pointing to a broader search for avalanche knowledge by patrollers and the skiing public.  This season, we had 17 courses scheduled including 4 Level 2 courses, one in the Tahoe Basin, one in the southern Mother Lode Region and two in Southern California.  Unfortunately, due to the snowpack conditions, only 8 courses and a Continuing Education course were delivered. 

The basis of our program is our instructors.  More importantly, their willingness to continue their intellectual curiosity of snow science, and volunteer their time to share that knowledge and teach avalanche courses.  The foundation of our knowledge is a direct result of continuing education and collaborating with our professional snow science colleagues.  The National Avalanche School and the International Snow Science Workshop are two primary methods we maintain our continuing education.  This fall, we had six avalanche instructors attend the National Avalanche School in Snowbird, UT for five days of classroom by “14 Leading Experts, 1 to 1 interaction, 5 days... all in 1 place”.  During the fall of 2010, Squaw Valley hosted ISSW where nearly 1000 snow science researchers and users of that knowledge attended, including nearly two dozen patrollers and avalanche instructors from the Far West Division attending the 5 days of research presentations. 

There are three regions where our avalanche programs are leaders to educate patrollers and public

• Lake Tahoe Areas of the Eastern Sierra and North Mother Lode regions including Alpine Meadows, Heavenly Area, Squaw Valley and Sugar Bowl
• Southern Mother Lode Region including Bear Valley and China Peak
• Southern California including Mammoth, Mt Baldy and Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort
• Arizona Region Snowbowl near Flagstaff Arizona

Last season, the Squaw Valley Patrol conducted an avalanche refresher course for 68 people.  This curriculum has been reviewed for content and effectiveness and will be packaged for distribution within the division.  It is anticipated this course could be packaged into a combination of classroom lectures and field activities.  Stay tuned for an update. 

Far West Division Avalanche Supervisor:

Robert Morrow 530.219.0823
Davis, California  95616
Email: fwd-avalanche@farwest.org

Far West Division 2012 Avalanche Course Calendar

Tri-Advisory Conference in Yosemite Valley, November 5 & 6.  This is a multi-discipline educational conference hosted by FWD featuring Mountain Travel, Nordic and Avalanche program disciplines.

Northern CA Region:

Level 1 avalanche for rescue personnel is scheduled for Mt. Shasta on March 2012.  Contact Robert Morrow and Jason Allen.
MTR 1 course is scheduled for March 9/10 & 11.  Contact Jason Allen.

Eastern Sierra Region / Lake Tahoe Area:

Level 2 avalanche for rescue personnel is scheduled for Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley and Sugar Bowl on February 11/12 and 25/26.  Contact Robert Morrow and Mike Laney. 
Level 1 avalanche for rescue personnel is scheduled for Donner Ski Ranch & Northstar on January 7/8 and 21.  Contact Kevin Corbett and Karl Geisler.
Level 1 avalanche for rescue personnel is scheduled for Heavenly Mountain on February 12 and 25/26.  Contact Don Shockey. 
Level 1 avalanche for rescue personnel is scheduled for Tahoe Backcountry on January 28/29 & February 4.  Contact Eric Chesmar. 
Level 1 avalanche for rescue personnel is tentatively scheduled for Nevada County SAR on January 24/26 (classroom) and 28/29 (field).  Contact Keith Tatsukawa.
Level 1 avalanche for rescue personnel.  Courses maybe scheduled depending on interest and instructor availability for Squaw Valley and Sierra at Tahoe.  Contact Mike Derby, Keith Tatsukawa, and Robert Morrow.
Level 1 avalanche for rescue personnel is tentatively scheduled for Marin County SAR during February.  Course dates are yet to be determined.  Contact Eric Chesmar. 

Mother Lode Region:

Level 2 avalanche for rescue personnel is scheduled for China Peak on March 3/4 and 10/11.  Contact Rich Bailey and Randy Baerg.
Level 1 avalanche for rescue personnel is scheduled for Donner Ski Ranch & Northstar on January 7/8 and 21.  Contact Kevin Corbett and Karl Geisler.
Level 1 avalanche for rescue personnel is scheduled for Pinecrest Nordic on January 21/22 and 28.  Course locations are at Pinecrest and Castle Peak, respectively.  Contact Pat Callery and Keith Gale.
Level 1 avalanche for rescue personnel is tentatively scheduled for China Peak.  Course dates are yet to be determined.  Contact Randy Baerg and Rich Bailey.

Southern CA Region:

Level 2 avalanche for rescue personnel is scheduled for Mt Baldy on February 7, 9, 14, 16 (classroom) and Feb 11, 12, 18 & 19 (field).  Contact Jeff Pierce and Keith Church.
Level 2 avalanche for rescue personnel is tentatively scheduled for Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard during February.  Course dates are yet to be determined.  Contact Greg French and Jeff Pierce.
Level 1 avalanche for rescue personnel is scheduled for January 10, 12 (classroom) and 14, 15 (field).  Contact Jeff Pierce.
Level 1 avalanche for rescue personnel is scheduled for March 6, 8 (classroom) and 10, 11 (field).  Contact Jeff Pierce.
Level 1 avalanche for rescue personnel is tentatively scheduled for sometime in January, February and March.  Course dates and location are yet to be determined.  Contact Keith Church.
Level 1 avalanche for rescue personnel in January – March at Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard.  Specific dates are yet to be determined.  Contact Luke Ham and Jeff Pierce.