Get ready for winter with this FREE series of backcountry education workshops!

Learn the basics for safe backcountry travel by attending one or all of these free avalanche education workshops presented by Tahoe Mountain Sports and Ortovox. The workshops will be held at Alibi Ale Works – Truckee Public House. 

These workshops are for YOU if you like to backcountry ski, splitboard, snowmobile, snowshoe, or just explore snow-covered mountains. There will be 4 workshops held between October and January covering different aspects of avalanche education. Each event is a stand-alone event, meaning you can attend one, or all, but they do not build on each other.

1. The Basics -  Special Guest: Cody Townsend
2. The Beta -  Where To Go & When To Go There
3. The Rescue - Tools, Techniques & Field Tips

Join us to get educated, learn about new gear and technologies, and connect with a community of like-minded backcountry travelers.

The Basics - Special Guest: Cody Townsend

Join us at our first of four events for a true backcountry basics refresher with special guest, Cody Townsend!

We’ll cover everything you need to know to start your season off right; how to plan for a successful day in the mountains, where to check the avalanche forecast, how to use the avalanche forecast and what the Sierra Avalanche Center does and how they do it. Learn the basic principles of "Know Before You Go" and get your head back into winter mode.

Normalization of Deviance Backcountry Decision Making with Cody Townsend

Join professional skier Cody Townsend for an updated presentation on the Normalization of Deviance—how repeated, unpunished risks subtly distort our perception of safety in avalanche terrain. Drawing on his evolution from pro skier to big-mountain backcountry traveler, Cody will explore how his decision-making process has adapted over time. From his home base here in Tahoe to the remote peaks of North America, he will highlight hard-earned lessons and modern examples from The FIFTY / FIFTY+, showing how human factors influence every line choice.

Cody’s trademark stoke and deep respect for the mountains will be on full display during a 30–40 minute presentation, followed by an open Q&A session.

Learn more about our speakers, Cody Townsend & David Reichel here

There will be a HUGE raffle benefitting the Sierra Avalanche Center, Tahoe’s local avalanche forecasting center which provides a wealth of information to backcountry skiers, riders, and sledders. Their mission is to inform and educate the public about backcountry avalanche conditions in the greater Tahoe area. Swag giveaways from our event sponsors: Orotovox, Smartwool, Tahoe Donner Cross Country, Tahoe Mountain School, Valhalla Mountain Guides, Black Diamond, Wolverine Publishing, Helly Hansen, Flylow, PT Revolution, The North Face, Patagonia, Alpenglow Expeditions, Julbo, Mountainflow, Arcade, Skratch, Nuun, Tahoe Truckee Media

The Beta -  Where To Go & When To Go There

Wednesday, November 11th

Join us for our second event in the series, where we’ll dive into the essentials of reading conditions and making smart choices in the backcountry.

This session will cover the building blocks of decision-making, how to assess zones based on weather and snowpack, what natural warning signs to look for on the skin track, and how to identify and avoid common terrain traps. You’ll also hear about the everyday logistics that matter just as much as avalanche knowledge: where and how to park, skin track etiquette, and ways to be a good steward of the Truckee/Tahoe backcountry community.

Our speakers will share practical insights drawn from their expertise in guiding, writing, and advocacy, giving you a clearer picture of not just where to go, but when to go there, and how to do it responsibly.

Don’t miss this chance to enhance your backcountry skills!  Doors open at 6pm. Give yourself plenty of time to find a parking spot, and to grab beer and snacks before the formal presentation begins at 6:30pm.

Speakers:

 

• Richard Bothwell - 
  
• Claire Hewitt-Demeyer - professional snowboarder and backcountry storyteller based out of South Lake Tahoe, California.
  
• Anthony Cupaiuolo - Executive Director, Tahoe Backcountry Alliance

 

There will be a HUGE raffle benefiting Tahoe Backcountry Alliance, the voice for the human-powered winter backcountry community in the Lake Tahoe area, advocating for and informing our community about critical issues affecting winter backcountry recreation in Tahoe. Prizes include swag from our event sponsors:  Orotovox, Smartwool, Tahoe Donner Cross Country, Tahoe Mountain School, Valhalla Mountain Guides, Black Diamond, Helly Hansen, Flylow, PT Revolution, The North Face, Patagonia, Alpenglow Expeditions, Julbo, Spark R & D, Stio, Arc'teryx, Nuun

The Rescue - Tools, Techniques & Field Tips

Wednesday, December 16th

What do you do when things go wrong in the backcountry?

Our third event in the Avalanche Education Series focuses on the reality of accidents and what it takes to be prepared for a rescue. We’ll talk about the essential tools of avalanche safety, beacon, shovel, probe, and airbag and how to use each effectively when every second counts.

You’ll also hear firsthand what it’s like to be caught in an avalanche, and insights into how search and rescue operations unfold once the call goes out. We’ll cover what to do if you or your partners are involved in an incident, how rescue teams mobilize, and what steps you can take to increase your chances of survival.

We’ll also highlight the latest tools in communication and navigation technology that can support your safety in the field, along with practical advice from local search and rescue leaders on how to prepare before you head out.

Speakers:

• Ian Anderson - co-Owner, PT Revolution
• Connor Chilcott - Valhalla Mountain Guides, IFMGA Certified Mountain Guide
  
• Jamie Morgan - Tahoe Backcountry Radio, Program Lead, Ski Patrol & Avalanche Instructor Candidate
• Sarah Krammen - President Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue
  

Doors open at 6 pm. Give yourself plenty of time to find a parking spot and grab beer and snacks before the formal presentation begins at 6:30 pm.

There will be a HUGE raffle benefitting Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue. They do great work in the Truckee/North Lake Tahoe area conducting conduct fast, safe rescues and educating the public on winter safety. Raffle prizes include swag from Orotovox, Smartwool, Tahoe Donner Cross Country, Tahoe Mountain School, Valhalla Mountain Guides, Black Diamond, Helly Hansen, Flylow, PT Revolution, The North Face, Patagonia, Alpenglow Expeditions, Julbo, Mountainflow, Seniq, Tahoe Backcountry Radio

Overall Agenda For Individual Events

• 6pm: Doors Open
• 6:30-7:30pm: Presentations 
• 7:30pm: Raffles Begin

Other Information

• Each event is a stand-alone event; meaning you can attend one or all of them. They do not build on each other. 
• Sponsors and brands will be on site to showcase their product and do giveaways. 
• There will be food and beverages available at all events.
• For more information, please contact Tahoe Mountain Sports.

Avalanche Series Sponsors

Special thanks to our presenting sponsor ORTOVOX for making this series possible! For over 30 years, ORTOVOX has been the most successful producer of avalanche equipment, backpacks, and merino outerwear for alpine sports throughout the year. Come check out their products at Tahoe Mountain Sports.

Major Sponsors:

• Alibi Ale Works
• Flylow
• Tahoe Mountain School
• Julbo
• Smartwool
• Black Diamond
• Alpenglow Expeditions
• PT Revolution
• Smith
• Valhalla Mountain Guides
• Tahoe Donner Cross Country
• Patagonia
• The North Face
• Helly Hansen

Please support our nonprofit partners: Tahoe Backcountry Alliance, Nickolay Dodov Foundation, Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue, and Sierra Avalanche Center.

Ready to take it to the next level? Read about Why you should take an Avalanche Level One Certification (AAIRE Avy 1 Class).