Wind, Drifting, and Avalanches According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, “Wind is the movement of air caused by the uneven heating of the Earth by the sun.” Indeed, other environmental elements are at play, like gravity, fluid and gas dynamics, weather systems, and the earth’s spinning, but causes aside, NOAA is clear, “Wind is simply air in motion.” In the mountains, wind has a considerable influence on avalanche phenomena. Drifting of falling snow and snow already on the ground creates heavy deposits or drifts in avalanche-starting zones. These …

The 2023-24 winter season started out fairly normal. October: There were a couple of minor snow storms in October that dropped a few inches of snow. This snow melted off everything except the highest north facing slopes. This snow that stuck around faceted (turned to sugary snow) but it wasn't enough to be concerned about as far as acting as a persistent weak layer once more storms came. November: The first two weeks of November was dry. Then, a couple of storms moved through, one on the 18th that produced 8" of snow and one on the 24th that produced 10" of snow. …

During the past seven years, I have had the honor of working with the amazing backcountry community and some of the most passionate people I have ever met. It has been an incredible journey working alongside such a passionate and dedicated team in the pursuit of promoting safety and awareness in the backcountry. My time leading the UAC will always be the highlight of my career. During this time, we've witnessed remarkable growth at the UAC, achieving milestones that include the expansion of our statewide avalanche education program, the revitalization of the Know Before You Go …

This article originally appeared in Explore Big Sky, written by Doug Chabot at the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center. Clicking into our skis or jumping on our sleds in search of powder is a universal mission at winter trailheads throughout North America. While the enjoyment is undeniable, the risks are real. Weather, avalanches, breakdowns, yard sales and being thrown from a sled like a bronc rider are things we accept in our favorite winter sports. We train and practice and push ourselves to be competent in the face of these hazards. We also spend hard-earned money on …

Utah's 5th Annual Avalanche Awareness Week is Upon Us! Five years ago the Utah Legislature passed House Bill 380, recognizing the first week of December as Avalanche Awareness Week. Join the Utah Avalanche Center and the Division of Outdoor Recreation to celebrate the Fifth Annual Avalanche Awareness Week, from December 3 - December 10. The goal of this week is to ultimately save lives through activities that promote avalanche awareness, education, and safety. We have a variety of events to promote avalanche safety this week. See the list of events below to find one near …

"Winning the Avalanche Game" was the very first full-length avalanche education video in North America that we are aware of. It was released in 1996 by the Utah Avalanche Center, mostly produced, filmed and edited by former Director Bruce Tremper. For many years, this was the standard video for most avalanche classes. It was one of the first projects done by the fledgling Forest Service National Avalanche Center with Doug Abromeit and Bruce Tremper working together. While some parts may seem dated, the info in these videos is still very valid. Watching it all is a great refresher. …

Batteries for Beacons Program The goal of the program is to get you FREE batteries for your avalanche beacon! It will kick off with Avalanche Awareness Week on December 4. Bring your beacon into a participating shop between December 4, 2023 and February 1, 2024. Sign up by scanning a QR Code (or clicking here) and providing your name, email, and recreation region. When you sign up and receive batteries, you are eligible for a drawing for avalanche rescue gear. Winners will be drawn on February 1! Find a list of participating shops below: Participating Shops ADS …