Get Ready for a Safe Winter at the Wyoming Snow & Avalanche Workshop

• Two-day event highlights winter backcountry safety, and provides a free lunch, beer, vendors, and a huge raffle supporting TCSAR volunteers

Jackson, Wyo. — The 12th Annual Wyoming Snow & Avalanche Workshop is officially three weeks away. The two-day event focusing on backcountry safety begins with Pro Day at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, November 13, at the Center for the Arts. Rec Day, focused on all levels of backcountry users, begins at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 14, also at the Center.

Register ASAP to take full advantage of all six Rec Day Lunch ‘n Learn station options (they are filling fast!). And of course, spread the word to your favorite backcountry partners so that you feel safe with them, they feel safe with you, and you’ve got more juicy skills, topics, and questions to chat through on the skin track this winter.

Attending WYSAW is the best way to gather with folks from all corners of our awesome community before the winter starts to begin honing your backcountry safety systems.  At both Pro Day (Friday, Nov 13) and Rec Day (Saturday, Nov 14), you’ll learn lessons from leading experts in the field of snow and avalanche safety and have the chance to win some great raffle prizes in support of TCSAR volunteers. 

A sneak peek of some presenters and topics you don’t want to miss…

• Stepping Out with a Persistent Weak Layer: A Panel (Pro Day)

• Wind Slabs vs Storm Slabs w/ Nata De Leeuw (Rec Day)

• A Deep Dive Into Fracture Propagation + Mechanics w/ Dave Hamre (Rec Day Lunch ‘n Learn station) 

• SAR Response Assessment and Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain w/ Jen Reddy (Pro Day)

• Creating Inclusive Communication and Group Consensus w/ Julz Holder (Rec Day)

• Navigating The Terrain Between My Ears w/ Zahan Billimoria (Rec Day)

• Using the BTAC Big Sheet to Make Decisions w/ Eeva Latosuo and Alex Drinkard (Rec Day Lunch ‘n Learn station)

Click here to register and see the full list of phenomenal speakers on the WYSAW docket. We can't wait to see you at some or all of our programming!

WYSAW is made possible by these generous sponsors:

See It Here: Photo Gallery & Video Presentations from WYSAW

We know how busy schedules can be. We also appreciate the enormous pull of being outside during one of the last beautiful weekends in October. So it’s understandable if you missed the Wyoming Snow & Avalanche Workshop, which drew an attendance of more than 350 people to the Center for the Arts on October 18-19.

And that’s why we record each and every presentation during the event.

We're happy to announce that the videos are now up online.  Each video is edited into individual presentations, and can be found on our WYSAW page, YouTube, and Vimeo.

With fresh snow on the ground, catching up on WYSAW is an appropriate kickoff to a safe and fun winter in the Tetons. 

We are also including a killer photo gallery from the event. All photos below by Zach Montes from Orijin Media. Images may not be used or reproduced without permission.

Register for the 10th Annual Wyoming Snow & Avalanche Workshop

Registration is now open for the 10th Annual Wyoming Snow & Avalanche Workshop, to be held October 18-19, 2024, at the Center for the Arts in downtown Jackson. Wyoming’s only SAW, WYSAW is presented by the Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation, the Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center, and Central Wyoming College.

Registration for the two-day event costs just $40. Plus, every attendee on Saturday, October 19, gets a free burrito from Pica’s, a beanie from Flylow, and free beer from Roadhouse and Snake River Brewing with proof of registration (ages 21 and up).

Friday, October 18, will be tailored for professionals in the field, and anyone looking to engage with presentations on advanced snow and behavioral science and theory. Doors open Friday at noon and the event runs to 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 19, is an all-day workshop, from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., that will serve interests for all winter backcountry users, no matter their experience level. All participants get a free Pica's burrito and sweet swag bag.

Over a dozen raffle packages (each valued at $1,000+) will be drawn at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 19. Need not attend WYSAW to purchase tickets. All proceeds benefit Teton County Search & Rescue.

Thank you for doing your part to make backcountry safety a priority in Jackson Hole (and beyond). We hope too see you on the 18th or 19th!