By Anne Cleary, Mad Trees
BCA Ambassador Lel Tone says: “let’s face it, backcountry skiing is trendy right now. What are the implications of that?” Lel kicked off last season’s SAFE AS clinics with this provocative question to get attendees to think about the importance of avalanche education.
SAFE AS provides one-day introduction to avalanche safety courses taught by pro big mountain skiers and snowboarders. The courses are geared towards beginner backcountry riders, but because the instructors are as experienced as Lel Tone, Elyse Saugstad, Jackie Passo, Ingrid Backstrom, Robin Van Gyn, and Michelle Parker combined, the conversations are relevant to everyone who travels in the backcountry.
SAFE AS emphasizes our own empowerment and decision making as the key in coming home at the end of every day. #sendandreturn.
Ingrid Backstrom talks about her role as a SAFE AS instructor.
For me as a teacher, I learn a TON from this course. Hearing everything repeatedly really helps it stick in the brain, and it’s a great refresher at the beginning of every season. Lel keeps things fresh each year, and everyone switches up their presentations enough that I always learn something from everyone each time, and the participants bring an incredible level of energy, curiosity, and knowledge as well. I always learn from their questions and experiences, too. In addition to learning a lot each year, I also get a lot of fun from SAFE AS, too. It’s so great to hang out with my friends in this environment and see everyone grow and learn, plus we usually get to make a few turns together which is always incredible.
The on-snow part of the day, where you turn knowledge into action, is great practice for everyone. With a quick rundown of using your beacon, shovel, and probe, conversation turns to pro tips for how to stay calm and make haste in a real life situation. While we always hope we won’t have to use our avalanche equipment, rescue skills are perishable and practice is the best way to stay fresh and make a difference when it counts.
Nothing but smiles when you’re practicing avalanche safety in the field with SAFE AS. Photo: Jen Schmidt Photography.
SAFE AS wraps up the day with a debrief, libations, and a next-level raffle. The many sponsors of SAFE AS donate a ton of merchandise for the raffle, including a BCA avalanche airbag, the BC Link radios, skis, snowboards, jackets, food and wine. Everyone leaves with bounty of best-case-scenario prizes, and all raffle ticket proceeds go directly to numerous regional and national Non-Profit Avalanche Organizations.