Friends of the Sawtooth NF Avalanche Center

Donations help the Friends of the SNFAC a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization. Click the button to donate online. It is fast, safe and secure! Thank you!

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:

3nd ANNUAL AVALANCHE AWARENESS WEEK ~ Jan 26th – Feb 1st, 2009

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 27th, 7-8pm
Where: Hailey Community Campus, Rm 301
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 CLINICS
When: Saturday, January 31st, 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. Several demo beacons will be available, but 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, January 29,30,31 doors open 6pm
Where: NexStage Theater, South Main Street, Ketchum
What: This is the 12th 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.

Check out last years Banff Film Festival preview:
http://www.sawtoothavalanche.com/video/banff2008.mpg

Please join the SNFAC in promoting the 3rd 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 sunvalley.net, or check out www.sawtoothavalanche.com.

If you would like to be a part of the Friends activities or help donate, contact Kay Tenney at (208)720-8751, Or write to:

Friends of the SNFAC
PO box 2669
Ketchum, ID 83340