Avalanche speaker series coming up this week

Winter recreationists will gather in Whitefish on Nov. 11 for an afternoon of presentations from experts in avalanches and mountain experience at the annual Northern Rockies Snow and Avalanche Workshop.

The event at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center is a fundraiser for avalanche safety, with proceeds supporting forecasting and education. Doors will open at 10 a.m. and the workshop will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Tickets are $35. Tickets and more at flatheadavalanche.org/nrsaw

Following are speakers slated for the workshop.

JASON KONIGSBERG

When do whumpfs correlate with avalanches? Triggering whumpfs is a primary indicator of unstable snowpack conditions. Konigsberg and collaborators in Colorado studied whumpf and avalanche data to analyze correlations and found instances when avalanche observations increased yet whumpf observations decreased. Jason brought this important research to ISSW and we’re lucky to have him make the trip to Montana to share it with us in November.

NATA DE LEEUW

Have you ever argued with someone about the interpretation of wind slab and storm slab? If so, you are not alone! Nata de Leeuw loves a good wind vs. storm slab debate and we can’t wait to hear her thoughts on the topic at NRSAW. Nata will delve into the specifics of how these terms are used in Canada and talk about parallels to the U.S. avalanche industry.

DEVON O’NEIL

We can’t resist a good graph... but how about a story? At NRSAW, journalist Devon O’Neil will discuss the importance of the tales we tell each other (in observations, over a beer, through published works) and why the hard ones are often the most impactful. 

CAM JOHNSON

Get your NRSAW ticket to learn more about regional avalanche conditions and trends. We are so excited for “April Fooled in the Flathead,” presented by Cam Johnson. In recent years, the FAC observed a spike in late-season near-misses and accidents, and April now ranks as the month with the second highest tally of incidents in the region (10), behind only February (29; 2017-2023). To understand why, Cam and FAC Director Blase Reardon dug into the weather, snowpack, and human conditions leading to avalanche incidents that occurred in early April 2020 and 2023. At NRSAW, Cam will share key takeaways from their research... so we don’t get fooled again.

LINDSEY ROCHTE

Raise your hand if you’ve ever used slope-angle shading on a digital mapping program. We are so excited to welcome Lindsey Rochte to NRSAW to discuss a framework for mapping that focuses on where a human is at risk in the terrain in contrast to traditional slope shading maps that place emphasis on where an avalanche might start. Exploring applications for Human-Centered Avalanche Susceptibility Mapping (H-CASM), Lindsey’s research group includes terrain traps, connected slopes, and runouts in addition to start zone susceptibility. They also employ gradient shading to reduce the visualization of false certainty.

CHRISTIANE HINTERMAN-PREW

Have you ever heard of Forest and Nature Therapy? For this year’s “body” session, we’re excited for Christiane Hinterman to give a brief overview of its roots and why we as winter recreationists could benefit from its practices. In her presentation, Christiane will explore the sensory experience of being in our bodies while being outside in the winter elements.