It’s that time of year again for the 15thannual Northern Rockies Snow and Avalanche Workshop (NRSAW), where local and regional experts on Saturday, Nov. 8 will grace the stage at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center to nerd out about snow ahead of the 2025-2026 winter season.
Presented by the Flathead Avalanche Center (FAC) and its nonprofit arm, Friends of the Flathead Avalanche Center (FOFAC), the workshop will feature a slate of six speakers including a Canadian avalanche researcher, a National Weather Service meteorologist and a forecaster from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
Dr. Pascal Haegeli, a Swiss professor at Simon Fraser University, will be travelling from Vancouver, British Columbia to share his research from projects including avalanche hazard modeling and accident analyses and risk communication. The world-renowned expert draws on everything from atmospheric science to public health to psychology in his research.
Locally, former FAC intern Lydia Willoughby will share information about submitting snowpack and weather observations and the significance for forecasters and the public. Her presentation will feature basic instruction about the type of observations that avalanche forecasters are looking for.
In between presentations there will also be a brief spotlight on the Flathead Snowmobile Association, an organization that Flathead Avalanche partners closely with, to educate motorized users about what the nonprofit does and to spread the word about avalanche course reimbursements.
Additionally, there will be a panel moderated by FAC Director Blase Reardon with a discussion between local guides and avalanche educators about the specific roles of various avalanche organizations in northwest Montana.
“One of our goals right now is to clarify who does what,” FOFAC Director Jenny Cloutier said. “Who is Flathead Avalanche? Who provides classes? We’re hoping to add a little bit of clarity.”
To bring some more clarity during the government shutdown, which is now in its 37th day, Cloutier said the federally employed FAC forecasters will continue work as usual now that the season has begun. As-needed avalanche forecasts will be provided through November, and daily advisories will start in December.
But wait – there’s more! Let’s not forget about raffle prizes. This year, there will be two Jones splitboards with skins, Bozeman-based Spark R&D bindings, skis from Rocky Mountain Outfitter, two rescue kits complete with a beacon, probe and shovel, Rocky Talky radios, and a Whitefish Mountain Resort season pass. Win big!
Personally, my favorite part of the workshop is the after party at the Great Northern Bar, where snow nerds (snerds) can unwind at the local watering hole with some libations after a day of snow lectures.
NRSAW runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center at 127 Spokane Avenue followed by an after party at the Northern. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at flatheadavalanche.org.
I’m Maggie Dresser, here with today’s Daily Roundup.
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