Freeride Avalanche Summit

SNOWBIRD AND THE UAC PRESENT THE FIRST ANNUAL “FREERIDE AVALANCHE SUMMIT” DEC. 17-18

Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort and the Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) are partnering to offer the first annual Freeride Avalanche Summit, Dec. 17-18. The two-day clinic targets advance and expert skiers and riders who want practical and professional instruction on avalanche awareness, safety and rescue.

The Freeride Avalanche Summit will include a unique blend of instruction that combines the expertise of industry leading avalanche forecasters with the experience and influence of local, professional athletes. Expected participants include:

• Members of the UAC and Colorado Avalanche Information Center
• Snowbird Ski Patrol and Snow Safety
• Jim Conway, lead guide for Teton Gravity Research
• Jeremy Nobis, professional skier
• Gordy Peifer, professional skier
• Jenn Berg, professional skier
• Brant Moles, professional skier
• Wasatch Powderbird Guides
• And more to be announced

“With the increase in backcountry and sidecountry traffic, it’s more important than ever to offer tangible and affordable avalanche instruction to upper level skiers and riders,” said UAC Forecaster and Freeride Avalanche Summit founder Craig Gordon. “This Summit brings together an awesome group of leading forecasters along with some of the best winter athletes in Utah.”

The Freeride Avalanche Summit offers more than 20 hours of classroom and on-mountain instruction during the two-day session. Topics include snowpack analysis, terrain assessment, first aid techniques, emergency notification procedures and more along with ski patrol briefings and actual line selection sessions with professional athletes. The Summit costs $150 and is limited to 40 participants; discounted lift tickets of $36/day will also be offered to non-passholders for the on-mountain portion of the program. Advanced and expert skiers and riders can register by visiting the Snowbird Activity Center or calling (801) 933-2147.

Media attendance is encouraged. To RSVP, or for more information or digital images after the event, please contact Jared Ishkanian at (801) 933-2047 or jishkanian@snowbird.com.

Since 1980, the Utah Avalanche has been providing the public with avalanche and mountain weather forecasts and training to backcountry users of all kinds in an effort to help them understand avalanche conditions, avoid avalanches and perform avalanche rescues.

Schedule
Wednesday December 16, 2009
5:00p-6:00p Registration, paperwork and program introduction at Black Diamond, 2084 East 3900 South

Thursday December 17, 2009
7:30a- 8:30a Early tram and freeride session (meet on Plaza Deck)
8:45a-9:00a Morning patrol briefing at Snowbird Center- Alpine B meeting room/2nd Floor
9:00a-9:20a Notification… factors in how and when to notify WBR/Sheriff/SAR- Dean Cardinale
9:20a – 9:40a Rescue gear… beacons, shovels, probes, Avalung, airbags, SPOT- Dale Atkins
9:40a-10:30a- Avalanche Rescue… Step by Step companion rescue “routine”- Dale Atkins
10:30a-10:45a Strategic Shoveling Explained- Logan Cookler
10:45a-11:00a- Safe backcountry travel techniques… one at a time, islands of safety, etc.- Dave Richards
11:00a-11:10a- First Aid overview for the backcountry…recommended training- Snowbird Patrol
11:10a-12:00a- Lunch provided by General Gritts
12:00p-12:30p- Till help arrives…Establishing an LZ for rescue, assessing and packaging a patient, heli protocols- Wasatch Powderbird Guide facility- WPG staff
12:30p-4:30p Rescue stations- single beacon recovery, multiple beacons, taking charge, strategic shoveling, using Recco- On snow- Staff
5:00p-6:00p- Real Life Line Selection Stories – Gordy Pfeiffer

Friday December 18, 2009
7:30a- 8:45a Early tram and freeride session
8:45a-9:00a Morning patrol briefing at Snowbird Center- Alpine B meeting room/2nd Floor
9:00a-9:15a- Using your local avy advisory… Craig Gordon
9:15a-10:15a Snowpack structure, assessment and testing techniques… Bruce Tremper
10:15a-11:15a Terrain assessment… Jim Conway – What terrain increases or decreases risk
11:15a-11:45a Lunch provided by General Gritts
12:00p-3:30p Snowpits and stability assessment… On snow- Staff
4:00p-4:30p Written Test… time limit on test
4:45p-5:15p- Real Life Line Selection Stories – Pro to be announced.
5:20p-6:00p- Graduation

Those who successfully complete the course will receive a certificate of completion and a high five from their touring partners. Please note that the schedule may change.