2014 Tahoe Mountain Sports Avalanche Education Series

Part 3 – Feb. 6 – Read, Interpret, Decide – Analyzing Avalanche Reports with the Sierra Avalanche Center

As the third and final installment of our three-part 2014 TMS Avalanche Education Series, representatives from Sierra Avalanche Center, a Lake Tahoe Region non-profit dedicated to providing a free daily avalanche advisory for the central Sierra Nevada, will lead an extremely useful presentation about how to properly read and interpret the avalanche report.

Participants will have the opportunity to discuss technical and situational issues that arise in the field to create a good platform for safe decision making in the backcountry. There will be a HUGE raffle at this event and everybody is sure to walk away with something. All raffle proceeds and a portion of sales from this evening will benefit Sierra Avalanche Center.

This event is FREE and open to the public. Come get some free tips to help properly read and interpret the avalanche and snow conditions reports in order to make better decisions and keep safe in the backcountry!

This event will take place between two different locations: Tahoe Mountain Sports (8331 North Lake Blvd, Kings Beach, CA 96143) and across the street at the North Tahoe Event Center (8318 N. Lake Blvd)

In case you can’t make the full event or just want to stop by for part of it, here’s the event schedule:

5:00 – 6:00 – Reception with S.A.C. and Backcountry Gear Specials at Tahoe Mountain Sports
6:00-7:15 – Formal Presentation with Sierra Avalanche Center at North Tahoe Event Center (NTEC)
7:15 – 8:00 MEGA Raffle to benefit Sierra Avalanche Center (at NTEC)

Generous raffle donations provided by 22 Designs, Arva Equipment, Black Diamond, Boreas Gear, Honey Stinger, Marker Bindings, Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, Ortovox, Osprey, Pieps, Smith Optics and Vapur.

Find the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/398839930248480/

Join the Lake Tahoe Outdoor Adventure Group and stay connected with Tahoe Mountain Sports and their community events: http://www.meetup.com/LakeTahoeOutdoorAdventureGroup/events/161146902/

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Avalanche Education Series Recap: Part 1 – Nov. 20 – Beacons & Beers: Avalanche Companion Gear & Rescue Techniques

Many backcountry enthusiasts came to Tahoe Mountain Sports on November 20 to learn the basics of beacon use and brush up on their avalanche expertise and transceiver techniques. Experienced mountain guide and Level 3 AIARE instructor Tom Carter, and Ortovox Rep Jared Rodriguez, were present to lead a discussion about the basics of companion rescue gear and techniques. Tom also led a hands-on lesson on how to properly and efficiently use your avalanche transceiver. Participants brought their own avalanche gear to practice with, and others demo’d some of the newest Ortovox models.

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Part 2 – Dec. 20 – Avalanche Airbag Party Sponsored by ABS featuring Pro Skier Elyse Saugstad

As the second of our three-part 2014 TMS Avalanche Education Series, we filled a large room at the North Tahoe Event Center with a bunch of Tahoe backcountry enthusiasts for a free, community-oriented, fun night. Elyse Saugstad, a professional skier and airbag backpack advocate who was saved by her pack in a large avalanche near Stevens Pass, WA (Tunnel Creek, 2012), and ABS backpacks Rep John Clausen were on-site to lead a technical discussion about avalanche airbag backpacks, how they work, survival rates and statistics, personal accounts and learning experiences from the field.

Participants got to activate their airbag packs during the event, which added even more fun to the evening. Since all Avalanche Airbag Backpacks should be serviced annually, this was a great opportunity to receive a free servicing and full canister for their ABS, The North Face, Mammut or Ortovox airbag packs. We also offered special discounts on Avalanche Airbag Backpacks for attendees! Thanks to our sponsors for the evening, ABS Avalanche Airbag Systems, Ortovox Avalanche Safety Equipment and The North Face!

Want a quick course in Avalanche Airbag technologies? Read this detailed blog about ABS packs:
http://blog.tahoemountainsports.com/2013/01/16/abs-101-the-avalanche-airbag-backpack-system/