Avalanche training
The Inland Northwest’s most ambitious schedule of courses and workshops on avalanche awareness are coming up just in time for the winter season.
“ LEVEL I COURSE with detailed hands-on instruction for skiers, boarders and snowmobilers, includes two classroom and one field day. Limited to 15 students.
Cost: $190, includes manuals.
Classroom sessions: Dec. 12 and 13 in Sandpoint or Jan. 16 and 17 at Mountain Gear in Spokane.
Field sessions: Jan. 6, 20 or Feb. 16, all at Schweitzer. (Students can attend any field session after completing classroom sessions.)
Preregister: Shep Snow: (208) 263-3552, shep@thesnowschool.com.
“REFRESHER COURSE for backcountry skiers and snowmobilers who have already taken avalanche training, sponsored by Republic Ranger District.
Cost: Free.
Classroom session: Dec. 14, starting 7 p.m. at the Forest Service office in Republic, covering avalanche fundamentals, equipment updates, and new rescue techniques.
Field session: Dec. 15, starting 9 a.m. at Sherman Pass, covering snow pack stability evaluation, equipment use and techniques.
Preregister to assure information packet availability, (509) 775-7400.
“SNOWMOBILER-SPECIFIC WORKSHOPS in North Idaho, sponsored by state Parks and Recreation Department; each limited to 50 students.
Cost: Free.
Indoor-outdoor sessions combined, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Jan. 5 at Idaho Parks and Recreation Department in Coeur d’Alene and Jan. 12 at Forest Service Building in Sandpoint.
Info: Marty Gangis, (208) 769-1511.
“ALL SNOWGOER WORKSHOP SERIES, sponsored by Idaho Panhandle National Forest Avalanche Center and Sandpoint Parks and Recreation.
Cost: Free.
Indoor sessions only, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., at the Federal Building in Sandpoint. Dec. 12 session covers transceivers while Jan. 9 and Feb 6 sessions cover safe travel techniques and decision-making.
Info: Kevin Davis in Sandpoint, (208) 265-6686 or Ed Odegaard in Avery, (208) 245-6209.
“PRIVATE GROUP WORKSHOPS in avalanche awareness can be scheduled with the Forest Service Sandpoint Avalanche Center staff during December.
Contact: Kevin Davis, (208) 265-6686.