Squaw Valley USA's Steep & Deep avalanche awareness clinic is taking place this Friday, January 30 at 7 pm at the Plaza Bar. All ages are welcome, and entry into the event is free. Event sponsors include Volkl, Recco, BCA, Ortovox, Tecnica, and Squaw Valley USA.
Designed to be an informative and fun evening of safety education, the annual Steep & Deep event includes multi-media presentations by local guides, extreme skiers, forecasters on weather, terrain analysis, snow stability, and more. This clinic provides knowledge and information that is not just imperative for hardcore skiers and snowboarders in the backcountry, but also for recreational resort skiers and riders who like to venture off-piste and explore steep terrain.
In addition to implementing safety measures throughout the mountain, Squaw Valley aims to promote safety through awareness and education by providing affordable and accessible avenues for guests to educate themselves. In line with this objective, Squaw Valley Ski Patrol offers free avalanche beacon classes on the 1st and the 15th of every month.
In 2006, Squaw Valley introduced 'Beacon Basin' - an area that is used throughout the season for avalanche beacon training classes. Squaw continues to use the Beacon Basin and offer free avalanche awareness/beacon classes twice a month throughout the winter season. Classes are open to the public and take place on the 1st and the 15th of each month. The classes meet at Ski Patrol Base at 5:30 pm (classes last about an hour and a half).
Guests should bring their own transceiver but there are beacons available for loan as well. All attendees are asked to register beforehand by calling Ski Patrol at 530-452-7260.
No matter what, or where your home mountain is, if you get a chance to attend this clinic at Squaw Valley USA, or any other clinic on avalanche awareness and beacon use, do so because you never, never know. The knowledge you pick up may someday, somewhere save your life or the life of someone you are with.
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Squaw Valley USA © Mike Doyle
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