The annual Avalanche Awareness Day is this for Saturday starting at 10 a.m. The events will take place near the base of Red Mountain Resort.
The event is free and hosted by Rossland and District Search and Rescue and Red Resort. It offers hands-on avalanche safety gear clinics, poster competition for kids, demonstrations, races, and prizes.
“What we’re trying to do is educate the public, so that people are more aware of the avalanche peril,” said Graham Jones, a director of the RSAR. “It give them the opportunity to get comfortable with their equipment and practice with their transceivers.”
Jones stressed that it is imperative to do this before venturing into the outdoors, as knowing how to use it could be the difference between being found if you’re buried or saving someone’s life, if they are buried in an avalanche.
“We teach people how to build a snow shelter, if they do get caught in the backcountry overnight, we have fun events. We have snow shoe races and prizes to give away,” he said “It’s an educational day mainly.”
Those interested should dress for the weather and wear warm boots. If access to the chair is required, lift tickets must be purchased.
Those who have had previous avalanche training are also welcome.
No registration is necessary and Jones said just to show up at 10 a.m., check out the calendar of events and pick what interests you.
For more info contact Jones at 362-9966.