LTCC’s Avalanche Workshop a One-Of-A-Kind Tahoe Event

Backcountry explorers, wilderness leaders, ski resort employees and search and rescue personnel: prepare for the winter season by attending the California Avalanche Workshop at Lake Tahoe Community College on Saturday, October 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Board/Aspen Room. This is a rare opportunity to hear forecasters from all of the California avalanche centers speak and answer questions. In addition, ski guides, pro skiers, snow scientists, and avalanche survivors will present their findings.

Pre-season snow and avalanche workshops are common throughout the Western United States. The largest gatherings number in the hundreds as backcountry travelers gather to refresh their skills ahead of winter and learn life-saving techniques from others. LTCC Wilderness Education Coordinator and AIARE instructor David Reichel says, “Honestly, I have been jealous of these workshops in Utah, Colorado, and the Pacific Northwest, so I decided to start one here. The California Avalanche Workshop is an opportunity to share knowledge and help folks make better decisions when travelling in potentially dangerous terrain.”

Many of the presenters at this upcoming workshop recently attended the International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW) in Banff, Canada. The motto of the ISSW is “A Merging of Theory and Practice.” This concept will guide Oct. 18’s California Avalanche Workshop. A variety of presenters will be on hand, including scientists discussing snow science, backcountry skiers re-examining decision making, and guides and professional skiers evaluating how they stay safe in challenging situations.

Presenters scheduled to appear at the Oct. 18 workshop include: representatives from Shasta, Sierra, Bridgeport and Eastern Sierra Avalanche Centers, Alex Do discussing the Puckerface avalanche from December 2013, Ben Hatchett on forecasting upside-down storm events, Ned Bair on stability tests and avalanche failure, Brennan Lagasse sharing the joys and challenges of guiding remote heli-access ski touring in the Alaskan Chugach, and professional skier Elyse Saugstad.

Registration for this workshop is just $15 through LTCC’s CONNECT Community Education program. To reserve your spot, register today at www.ltccconnect.com. For questions about the California Avalanche Workshop, contact LTCC Wilderness Education Coordinator David Reichel at Reichel@ltcc.edu.