26th Annual Avalanche Awareness Night

Kicking off the winter backcountry season – for Nordic skiers and snowshoers too!

Jackson, WY – Thursday, December 4, Jackson Hole Center for the Arts. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. with a lively vendor fair, followed by the main program at 6:00 p.m.

Screening of the BTAC Awareness Film, expert speakers, inspiring stories, and the latest in avalanche safety. Sharpen your skills in safe winter travel, avalanche assessment, and early-season snowpack evaluation, all while connecting with fellow backcountry enthusiasts. The event is proudly presented by the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center Foundation (BTACF), with support from Skinny Skis, FC Excavation, Headwall Sports, JH EcoTour Adventures, and Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Board.

The program will feature a Legacy presentation by Jim Woodmency, honoring the life and contributions of Rod Newcomb, Ron Matous, and Jay Pistano. This will be followed by a talk on stewardship. Alan Smith, Open Snow Meteorologist, will provide the season weather forecast, and the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center will share the last season review, weather station updates, and current backcountry conditions. The evening concludes with a keynote by Sophia Schwartz, World Cup mogul skier, freeskier, and mountaineer, who will share her perspective on “Having Patience with a Post-Storm Snowpack.”

Stop by to chat with industry experts in the Center for the Arts lobby. Visit the vendor fair featuring local ski organizations, avalanche education providers, and safety gear companies. 

“For 26 years the community has come together to kick off the winter season, see old friends, and to ensure avalanche safety is top of mind all season,” says Dwayne Meadows, Executive Director of the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center Foundation. “Every raffle participant plays a role in keeping our community avalanche center going. This year’s event will honor legacy, provide Avy Center and snowpack updates, and speak to having patience with snow and weather.”

As always, Avy Night will feature an exciting raffle with incredible prizes from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Black Diamond, Exum Guides, Off-Grid Experiences, Jackson Hole Ski Atlas, Nomad Sports, and more! Raffle tickets are on sale and you need not be present to win (although attendance is encouraged!)