Basic Workshops

The ASMSU Outdoor Recreation Program will sponsor two Basic Avalanche Awareness Workshops during the 2008-2009 winter season. Instructors are Ron Johnson and Karl Birkeland.

The workshops are held on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, with a field session on Saturday. Different topics are presented each evening. Topics covered include: avalanche terrain recognition, the affect weather has on avalanche hazard, the development of the mountain snowpack, decision making skills, and basic search and rescue procedures. Participants in the field session should have basic skiing and snowboarding skills, and the appropriate equipment to negotiate “groomed” intermediate ski runs. Though not required, an avalanche rescue beacon will be very helpful for the field session.

Cost is $5.00 for each evening session and $15.00 for the field session. Cost for the entire workshop is $25.00. Registration is not required for the evening sessions. Registration is required for the field session, which can be done at either of the evening sessions. Contact The ASMSU Outdoor Recreation Program at 994-3621 for more information.

The course outline is available at http://www.fsavalanche.org/NAC/techPages/av_ed/basic.pdf

Dates:

First Session:

Evening Sessions: December 3 and 4, 2008, 7:00pm to 9:30pm, at MSU in the Strand Union Building.

Field Session: December 6, 2008, 9:15am to 3:00pm, at Bridger Bowl Ski Area.

Second Session:

Evening Sessions: January 28 and 29, 2009, 7:00pm to 9:30pm, at MSU in the Strand Union Building.

Field Session: January 31, 2009, 9:15am to 3:00pm, at Bridger Bowl Ski Area.

BASIC AVALANCHE AWARENESS FOR SNOWMOBILERS:

BOZEMAN:

The Friends of the Avalanche Center in conjunction with Team Bozeman will offer a Basic Avalanche Awareness Workshop specifically for snowmobilers. The workshop will be conducted during two evening sessions and one field session. Topics covered include: avalanche terrain recognition, the affect weather has on avalanche hazard, the development of the mountain snowpack, decision making skills, and basic search and rescue procedures. Participants in the field session will need a reliable snowmachine and basic mountain riding skills. An avalanche rescue beacon and shovel is required.

There is no cost for this workshop; however, a $30.00 donation to The Friends of the Avalanche Center is requested. Call 587-6984 for more information.

Dates: This course will be offered the first or second week in December. Dates and more information will be posted in November, 2008.

WEST YELLOWSTONE:

The Friends of the Avalanche Center will offer a Basic Avalanche Awareness Workshop specifically for snowmobilers in West Yellowstone, Montana. Topics covered include: avalanche terrain recognition, the affect weather has on avalanche hazard, the development of the mountain snowpack, decision making skills, and basic search and rescue procedures. Participants in the field session will need a reliable snowmachine and basic mountain riding skills. An avalanche rescue beacon and shovel is required.

There is no cost for this workshop; however, a $30.00 donation to The Friends of the Avalanche Center is requested. Call 587-6984 for more information

Dates: This course will be offered in mid-December and early-January. Dates and more information will be posted in November, 2008