This Friday, for the 17th year, Missoula backcountry skiers, snowboarders and snowmobile riders will gather to support an organization that helps ensure their safety in the backcountry: the West Central Montana Avalanche Foundation.
It doesn t hurt that there will also be beer, food trucks, a DJ, costume party, online auction and in-person raffle.
Avalanche centers around the West have closed shop for the season — but where skiing and mountaineering beckon in the alpine, avalanche danger still lurks.
The forecasters for the West Central Montana Avalanche Center perform the work of informing thousands of backcountry travelers on avalanche problems they may encounter and where those problems likely exist.