When it comes to predicting the unpredictable, snow jockeys at Internet avalanche centers in Bozeman, Missoula and northwestern Montana’s Glacier Country are the best. They have made these web sites chatty, 24-hour local diners for snow sports enthusiasts.

The Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center (GNFAC) is typical. Daily advisories and breath-taking images take you to the slopes to check out real-time conditions. The lively, first-hand advisories are studded with clickable explanations of technical terms and illustrated with action shots. Even the simply curious will find this an exciting way to visit the Bridger, Gallatin, Madison, and Washburn mountain ranges, Cooke City and the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone.

Doug Chabot is an avalanche specialist at the GNFAC. He splits his time between four tasks—four a.m. shifts behind the computer producing advisories from a crowded office overlooking downtown Bozeman; treks into avalanche country within the Gallatin Forest; teaching avalanche safety training; and assisting rescue crews called on to locate and hopefully save those who’ve been swallowed whole by recent snow slides.

Avalanche specialists are a breed of their own. The job requires training in meteorology, physics, earth sciences and computer skills. A deep desire to teach and help others is critical, as is a close and personal relationship with avalanches.   Most gain a first-hand relationship with avalanches on ski patrols—where snow stability assessments are continuously verified by throwing explosive charges to see whether the slope is actually safe or not.   This direct feedback is a unique opportunity for an individual to learn to read snow.

Chabot, who directs the avalanche center, was also a professional mountain guide in Alaska and has been a member of numerous climbing expeditions in Alaska and Nepal, India.

With this level of expertise behind the web screen, it’s no wonder that Montana’s Internet avalanche centers are exciting, fun places for skiers, snowmobile riders and others to learn about snow and snow safety, check out current conditions, and share their personal observations.

The GNFAC web site advisories are accessed over 1,500 times a day, and the center taught 56 avalanche education programs to 2,800 people last year. Over 1,000 snowmobile riders attended 21 lectures and avalanche classes last year.

Friends of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center are committed supporters who raised $8,000 last year for expenses and new weather stations outside West Yellowstone and in the mountains by Cooke City.   Other supporters include local businesses, the National Weather Service, National Park Service, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and many others.

This inside crowd is easy to join. For daily advisories go to www.mtavalanche.com or call 406-587-6981. Advisories can be faxed or emailed. Individuals can also participate by posting avalanche, snow pack or weather observations made in the backcountry on the web site to help the avalanche specialists keep tabs on current conditions.
 

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