The Sawtooth NF Avalanche Center is able to operate thanks to the US Forest Service and the fundraising efforts of the Friends of the Sawtooth NF Avalanche Center. The Friends are locally based and provide more than half the funding for the Center. They operate under the non-profit organization of the American Avalanche Association, along with other avalanche center Friends groups. The Friends of the SNFAC and the AAA share a similar mission to provide avalanche information and education for the general public. The AAA is a valuable link with the network of avalanche centers throughout the United States, Canada and the rest of the world.
Friends events include:
4th ANNUAL AVALANCHE AWARENESS WEEK ~ Feb 1-7, 2010
WHAT IS THE GOAL OF AVALANCHE AWARENESS WEEK?
• Increase community awareness of avalanches and their effect on us as mountain town residents
• Promote a safe approach to recreating in potential avalanche terrain
• Provide free avalanche education programs and clinics open to anyone
• Increase utilization and support of the Sawtooth NF Avalanche Center’s services
WHAT IS HAPPENENING DURING AVALANCHE AWARENESS WEEK?
AVALANCHE AWARENESS PROGRAM When: Tuesday, January 26th, 7-8pm Where: Hailey Community Campus, Rm 903 What: This presentation provides an introduction to avalanches, including where and why they occur, avalanche warning signs, and the basics of avalanche safety. This program is an excellent primer before taking an avalanche class, or for anyone who is seeking information about avalanches.
AVALANCHE RESCUE BEACON CLINIC When: Saturday, February 6th, 1-3pm Where: Avalanche Rescue Training Park, next to Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church on Sun Valley Road (please park in Forest Service lot) What: SNFAC Staff will teach how to use an avalanche beacon to quickly find a buried partner. Only a couple demo beacons will be available, please bring your own beacon and probe if you have one.
FRIENDS OF THE SNFAC FUNDRAISER & BEST OF BANFF FILM FESTIVAL When: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, February 4,5,6th doors open 6pm Where: NexStage Theater, South Main Street, Ketchum Tickets: Film Tickets at Backwoods, The Elephant's Perch, Chapter One and at the door. Raffle Tickets at Backwoods, The Elephant's Perch and at the films. What: This is the 13th annual Friends fundraising event. An incredible raffle will be held each night with awesome prizes including skis, bindings, snowshoes, packs, clothing, avy gear, an overnight at a Sun Valley Trekking yurt, dinners at Galena Lodge and gift certificates to local businesses. All raffle tickets will be thrown back into the pot for the Grand Prize of a day of heli skiing with Sun Valley Heli Ski.
Please join the SNFAC in promoting the 4th Annual Avalanche Awareness Week. Together we can raise the bar for avalanche awareness in the Wood River Valley and ultimately save lives. For additional information call the Avalanche Center at 622-0095, email snfac at avalanche.org, or check out www.sawtoothavalanche.com.
If you would like to be a part of the Friends activities or help donate, contact Janet Kellam (208)726-1640, Or write to:
Friends of the SNFAC
PO box 2669
Ketchum, ID 83340