SIERRA AVALANCHE CENTER

TRUCKEE, California, 96160-3725 United States

Mission Statement

Sierra Avalanche Center's mission is to inform and educate the public about backcountry avalanche conditions in the greater Lake Tahoe area.

About This Cause

The 501(c)(3) not for profit organization known as Sierra Avalanche Center is focused on fundraising and education programs to increase the skill and safety of the public user. The organization consists of a volunteer Board of Directors, a volunteer Advisory Panel to the Board of Directors, and an Executive Director. Through its fundraising efforts this group provides two thirds of the funding necessary to pay the two Tahoe National Forest avalanche forecaster salaries. Other expenses paid for by the not for profit include the costs of continuing education and some of the cost of the equipment necessary for the forecasters to operate safely in the field. The not for profit also funds sub contracted field observers to collect additional information for avalanche, snowpack, and weather data. Fundraising for these expenses is accomplished through the organization of the SAC Ski Day fundraisers, by securing sponsorships and grants, as well as by gathering private donations. Additionally, the Board of Directors works jointly with the Tahoe National Forest to make decisions regarding the future direction of the avalanche center that are acceptable to both parties. The Truckee Ranger District on the Tahoe National Forest houses and runs the avalanche forecasting operations of the avalanche center. It houses two full-time, seasonal avalanche forecasters and provides infrastructure including office space, computers, internet access, phones, vehicles, fuel, safety equipment, and supervision. The forecasters gather avalanche, snowpack, and weather observations then use this data to create and issue avalanche advisories and avalanche warnings.

SIERRA AVALANCHE CENTER
11260 Donner Pass Road Ste C1 Pmb 401
TRUCKEE, California 96160-3725
United States
Phone 530 214 9199
Unique Identifier 201963071