Avalanche Awareness Night, En Español, Coming Up On January 28

Jackson, Wyo. — For the first time, an avalanche awareness workshop is being held in Spanish in order to reach a broader demographic in Jackson Hole. Presented and organized by a diverse group of educators and backcountry safety advocates from Teton County Search & Rescue, Camina Conmingo, Coombs Outdoors, Exum, Jackson Hole Mountain Guides, and the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center, Noche de Concientización Sobre Avalanchas will take place from 6:00-8:30 p.m. on January 28, at the Virginian’s Wister Hall.

The goal of the event is to increase access to essential safety information for community members for whom Spanish is their preferred language. Based on TCSD #1 demographics, an estimated 40 percent of county residents have a home language other than English, and the majority of those are Spanish-speakers.

"Language access is one of the important first steps in ensuring that everyone in our community has the tools and knowledge they need to make informed decisions in the backcountry,” said Piper Worthington, a language access advocate and event co-coordinator. “This event will be educational, but also a celebration of local people and organizations who have changed the ways we think about who is represented in the outdoor industry."

Presenters will offer a dynamic line-up of content for backcountry users of all levels of experience and modalities, and for those who want to learn and be inspired by our local resources.

No registration required and attendance is free. All attendees get one free raffle ticket upon entry for the chance to win some great prizes at the conclusion of the event. For more information, visit BackcountryZero.com/events.

If you have questions about this event, please reach out to TCSAR Foundation Preventative SAR Manager Maddie Johnson: maddie@tetoncountysar.org.

PRESENTATION AGENDA

Avalanche Awareness: Christian Santelices, IFMGA/AMGA Certified Guide
State of the Snowpack: Laura Gaylord, Coombs Outdoors + Exum Mountain Guides
Emergency Response & First Aid: Ryan Mertaugh, Teton County Search & Rescue + JHMG
Backcountry Panel: Backcountry Program Participants, Coombs Outdoors
Keynote Speaker: Vanessa Chavarriaga Posada
Raffle

25th Annual Avy Night Helps Support TCSAR and BTAC

The 25th Annual Skinny Skis Avy Night takes place this Thursday, December 5, at the Center for the Arts. One of our community's best winter gatherings, Avy Night runs from 5:30-9 p.m. Attendance is free with a suggested donation at the door supporting Teton County Search & Rescue. We will have some tables set up in the upstairs lobby to help answer your questions, sell some TCSAR merch, and help you find your way into the venue for the show.

During the event, TCSAR Foundation’s Maddie Johnson will be presenting about some cool events and programming you can expect this winter from Backcountry Zero.

Presented by the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center Foundation and Skinny Skis, the event is a must-attend for local winter enthusiasts.

Featuring a panel of first-person avalanche accounts, a keynote presentation by Jamie Weeks, and a stacked raffle, Avy Night is your chance to celebrate our community’s incredible backcountry culture, refresh your decision-making skills, & maybe even win some great new swag.

Register for the 10th Annual Wyoming Snow & Avalanche Workshop

Registration is now open for the 10th Annual Wyoming Snow & Avalanche Workshop, to be held October 18-19, 2024, at the Center for the Arts in downtown Jackson. Wyoming’s only SAW, WYSAW is presented by the Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation, the Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center, and Central Wyoming College.

Registration for the two-day event costs just $40. Plus, every attendee on Saturday, October 19, gets a free burrito from Pica’s, a beanie from Flylow, and free beer from Roadhouse and Snake River Brewing with proof of registration (ages 21 and up).

Friday, October 18, will be tailored for professionals in the field, and anyone looking to engage with presentations on advanced snow and behavioral science and theory. Doors open Friday at noon and the event runs to 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 19, is an all-day workshop, from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., that will serve interests for all winter backcountry users, no matter their experience level. All participants get a free Pica's burrito and sweet swag bag.

Over a dozen raffle packages (each valued at $1,000+) will be drawn at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 19. Need not attend WYSAW to purchase tickets. All proceeds benefit Teton County Search & Rescue.

Thank you for doing your part to make backcountry safety a priority in Jackson Hole (and beyond). We hope too see you on the 18th or 19th!