Flathead Avalanche hosts Snow and Avalanche Workshop

Flathead Avalanche is ready to kick off the season with the 13th Annual Northern Rockies Snow & Avalanche Workshop. This year’s theme is “What Do We Know About...” 

The workshop is on Nov. 9 at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Five experts in avalanche and mountain experience are lined up for a full day of learning.  

Speakers include Josh Lipkowitz, an avalanche and mountain weather forecaster at the Northwest Avalanche Center; Christine Donnelly, a machine learning engineer based in Whitefish; David Hill, a professor at Oregon State University who studies snow distribution and evolution in mountain environments; Kaleb Retz, avalanche instructor and guide; and John Reller, patroller, instructor, and state coordinator for the Colorado Search and Rescue Association.  

This year’s event promises more than educational value—it celebrates the winter community. In addition to the expert talks, participants can enjoy booths from the 2024/2025 sponsors, showcasing the latest gear, innovations, and resources for winter sports enthusiasts. There will be a raffle with great prizes for the upcoming season.  

Tickets are $35, which includes a swag bag, drink ticket for the Great Northern afterparty, and a commemorative NRSAW Rite in the Rain notebook. In addition to learning about snow, NRSAW supports Flathead Avalanche. The workshop is a critical fundraiser that keeps Flathead Avalanche’s daily forecasting and education programs running.