In this episode of the Avalanche Hour podcast, Caleb speaks with meteorologist Joel Gratz- founder of Open Snow, about the importance of weather forecasting for skiing and how it pertains to avalanche conditions. They unpack how much to weigh El Nino and La Nina on winter weather predictions, and Joel walks us through what goes into a forecast from OpenSnow. Joel shares insights into the features of Open Snow and discusses the intricacies of weather forecasting, particularly in relation to snow prediction. He explains the importance of the five-day window for making accurate forecasts and delves into the development and functionality of various weather models. Gratz highlights the significance of resolution in forecasting accuracy and introduces the role of AI in enhancing predictions. He also emphasizes the value of using multiple models for better accuracy and provides resources for those interested in learning more about weather and forecasting. Resources: Secrets of the Greatest Snow on Earth: Weather, Climate Change, and Finding Deep Powder in Utah's Wasatch Mountains and around the World By Jim Steenburgh ⁠Fill out our Listener Survey for the chance to win a gift card from Gordini and a pack from Arva! Music: Ketsa Art: Mike Tea Support for this episode was provided by: ⁠⁠⁠Wyssen Avalanche Control⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Gordini⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠OpenSnow⁠⁠⁠: use code avalanche50 for 50% off of your all-access subscription

Ken Wylie, a Human Hazard Management innovator and author of *Buried*, joins guest host Brooke Shiny Edwards, a fellow guide and student of Wylie's archetypal course. They discuss the profound relationship between personal growth and adventure, using past tragedies to explore disaster archetypes. The duo emphasizes the power of introspection in decision-making and the courage found in embracing one's shadow. As they navigate the complexities of risk in outdoor settings, they encourage listeners to reflect on their motivations for adventure and the community's role in fostering growth.

In this episode of the Avalanche Hour, host Jake Hutchinson sits down with Gabrielle Antonioli, a forecaster for the Bridger Teton Avalanche Center and founder of the A3’s Resilience Project. They discuss Gabrielle's journey into avalanche forecasting, the importance of mental health support in the avalanche community, and the need for inclusive avalanche education for motorized users. The conversation also delves into the unique challenges of forecasting on the Going to the Sun Road, highlighting the complexities of forecasting for wet snow natural avalanches.  In this conversation, Gabrielle and Hutch discuss the importance of mentorship and community, and emphasize the need for a supportive environment for future generations. The Fundamental Process in Conventional Avalanche Forecasting by Ed LaChapelle We hope you enjoy the conversation. Music: Ketsa  Art: Mike Tea Please Fill out our Listener Survey! Support for this episode was provided by: ⁠Wyssen Avalanche Control⁠ ⁠Gordini⁠ ⁠OpenSnow⁠: use code avalanche50 for 50% off of your all-access subscription Raide Research: use code avhour for 10% your next pack or bibs!

In this episode guest host Jason Antin sits down with Vince Anderson.  Vince shares his journey from growing up in Golden, Colorado, to becoming a prominent figure in the alpine climbing and guiding communities. He discusses his early experiences with climbing and skiing, the early days of the AMGA, and the evolution of avalanche education. In this conversation, he discusses the evolution of educational practices in guiding, reflecting on his own experiences and the changes he has witnessed over the years. He shares key turning points in his career, including influential mentors and pivotal moments that shaped his development as a guide. The discussion also delves into the challenges of balancing parenthood with a career in guiding, highlighting the complexities of risk management and decision-making in the mountains.  Skyward Mountaineering Music: Age Diamante Art: Mike Tea Fill out our Listener Survey! Support for this episode was provided by: ⁠Wyssen Avalanche Control⁠ ⁠Gordini⁠ ⁠OpenSnow⁠: use code avalanche50 for 50% off of your all-access subscription ⁠Propagation Labs⁠

We start this episode with Jayne Thompson-Nolan stopping by to give us an update from the American Avalanche Association (A3). She highlights some of the initiatives and achievements from the last year, provides some member updates, and talks about opportunities for grants, scholarships, and continuing education. We then launch into an interview with IFMGA guide Evan Stevens. Evan is the owner of Zenith Mountain Guides in Squamish, BC. Originally from New York, Evan has always felt a strong pull to climbing and skiing and landed a job with the Utah Avalanche Center after completing college in Vermont. Evan reflects on some pivotal learning moments from some influential mentors during his time at the UAC. We chat about some of the similarities and differences in the structure of guide education and progression in the United States and Canada. Evan talks about the importance of understanding the resolution of the avalanche forecast that you may be utilizing to plan your day. He describes why he and one of his partners started a newsletter: The Weekly South Coast Ski Conditions Report and how it can help local riders add value to the AvCan forecast. We hope you enjoy! Fill out our Listener survey here. Thank you! This episode was made possible through the support of: Wyssen Avalanche Control Gordini OpenSnow: Use code Avalanche50 to receive 50% off your premium All Access subscription! Safeback Music: Age Diamante Zenith Mountain Guides

In this episode of The Avalanche Hour, host Sean welcomes special guest Jess Shade. A high-altitude ski mountaineer, queer woman, and licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Utah and Michigan. Jess brings a unique blend of personal experience and professional expertise to discuss the intricate relationship between mental health and mountain environments. Together, they delve into the mindsets of those who inhabit the mountains, exploring therapy-based ideas that help individuals process daily events, inclusion, and trauma. Jess shares insights on the changing culture regarding mental health in the snow world, highlighting tools like the Responder Alliance’s Stress Continuum and principles from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to promote resilience and psychological flexibility. They also discuss Jess’s work with organizations like the American Alpine Club’s Climbing Grief Fund and the Utah Avalanche Center, as well as her involvement with Utah’s LGBTQ+ community through the LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapist Guild of Utah. Socials: The Avalanche hour Podcast Jess Shade Links:  Listener Survey LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapist Guild of Utah - An organization of therapists who meet monthly for continuing education. The website has a list of licensed clinicians in Utah who are affirming and trained in working with queer people.  Mountain Queers - An organization supporting representation and equity for queer and trans folx in mountain sport. Responder Alliance - works to build awareness of stress injury and increase resilience for folks who work in austere environments. Please note they are largely focused on prevention, however many of the resources and tools are very applicable and provide a good foundation for having conversations around stress and trauma. Climbing Grief Fund, American Alpine Club - CGF hosts a therapist directory and offers individual grants of up to $600 to individuals who have experienced grief or trauma related to climbing, alpinism, or ski mountaineering. You do not have to be a member of the American Alpine Club to apply for a CGF grant. American Avalanche Association - The A3 Avalanche Resilience Project also hosts a therapist directory with folks who have familiarity with the industry. A3 also offers a "resilience grant" of up to $500 to Professional and Affiliate members who are interested in pursuing therapy. Survivors of Outdoor Adventures and Recovery (SOAR) - SOAR offers professionally-facilitated peer support groups for folks who have experienced loss or trauma in the outdoors. I just attended one of their community connection workshops on grief and trauma and found it very helpful. Get in touch with this wonderful organization! Mountain Muskox - For our northern friends, Mountain Muskox is a fantastic organization that offers professionally-facilitated in person peer support circles in BC and Alberta. They also offer a weekend gathering each fall. Sponsors for this episode: Wyssen Avalanche Control Gordini - Use code snowpro40 to receive 40% off Gordini gear through October. (Code:SnowPro40) Beacon Guide Books: Use the code AVSAR to get 25% off the Avalanche Search + Rescue: A Backcountry Field Guide OpenSnow: Use code avalanche50 to receive 50% off their premium subscription. Crew: Creator - Caleb Merrill Host - Sean Zimmerman-Wall Producer - Cameron Griffin Donate: The Avalanche Hour Podcast The American Avalanche Association  Music: Age Diamante - Chill Pah

Cody Townsend, a professional skier renowned for his ambitious 'The Fifty Project,' shares his evolution from fearless athlete to someone embracing vulnerability. He recounts a harrowing experience in Alaska that challenged his limits and reshaped his approach to risk. Townsend highlights the balance between adventure and safety, especially as a parent. He reflects on how confronting fear can lead to personal growth and a richer life, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness in decision-making and the joys found in the mountains.

Fall is here and winter is right around the corner! Welcome back to Season 9 of The Avalanche Hour Podcast. In today's episode, Caleb sits down with IFMGA guide and co-founder/CEO of Aspect Avy, Jeff Banks. Jeff's mission in life is to help people do dangerous things -the safest way possible. He's happiest when he's in the mountain mountains helping people live long & adventurous lives. Jeff has a 20+ year career working as an avalanche professional in the realms of avalanche forecasting, explosive work, and guiding. Jeff is an AMGA instructor team member and examiner in addition to the avalanche training he teaches to the US Special Forces. He has spent 16 winters guiding and skiing in Chamonix, has been a US Ski Mountaineering Champion, and former head coach of Colorado's Olympic Development Nordic Team. Jeff lives in Crested Butte, Colorado with his daughter. Jeff and Caleb chat about some pivotal moments in Jeff's career that gave him pause about the amount of risk he was taking on while skiing and ski guiding in avalanche terrain. This spurred him to think about a better way to approach traveling in and near avalanche terrain. Aspect Avy was born out of this and Jeff unpacks what this new tool has to offer to winter backcountry enthusiasts. Thanks to the sponsors of this episode: Wyssen Avalanche Control Gordini Open Snow Propagation Labs Check out the ski that Jeff helped design with Romp Skis. The Romp Shepard 99 was designed to meet his needs as a mountain guide. From deep powder to steep frozen corn -They're his all time favorite ski in every condition. It's what the U.S. Special Forces use & about 20 of his guests. They will change your skiing & possibly alter the course of your life. OTHER LINKS: The Avalanche Hour Podcast Listener Survey Avalanche Education Scholarships- Deadlines Approaching! Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund (deadline October 9th) American Avalanche Association (A3) Education Scholarships US Fall Snow and Avalanche Workshop Schedule

In the last episode of Season 8, I sit down with Mike Peterson. Mike is an engineer and avid backcountry splitboarder who lives in Salt Lake City. He reached out to the show and wanted to share his experience from an avalanche that left him with a significant injury. Mike provides his honest reflection on trends he saw in his own backcountry habits, outside-of-the-mountain influences, and margins leading up to this incident. He had ample time while recovering from his broken neck to analyze how he could better play the long-game while backcountry riding. He shares those thoughts on the show. If you have a story you’d like to share on the podcast, you can reach out to us at theavalanchehourpodcast@gmail.com Music on this ‘sode: Tussle & Eventually Provided by Ketsa: www.ketsa.uk Support for this episode was provided by: Wyssen Avalanche Control Gordini USA OpenSnow

Episode 8.29 Unique Summer Careers The Northern Hemisphere winter is over and avy pros are returning to summer jobs. For many, this is forest firefighting – a natural fit with opposing seasons and complementary skill sets. For some, however, the summer provides an opportunity to completely unplug from the challenges of winter work and pursue other passions. In this episode, host Dom Baker speaks with two ski guides who have each built businesses pursuing a summer passion. Kevin Armstong, an ACMG ski guide, builds hand-welded custom bikes for passionate riders. Whether for road, gravel, or singletrack, Six Mile Bikes builds unique, made to order, dream bikes! Eric Chevalier is a veteran ski guide and the guiding manager at Selkirk Cat Skiing. He is also a long-time shipwright – building and restoring wooden boats. The Copper Nail Wooden Boat Shop offers world-class wooden boat restoration and building services. Tune in to hear the highs, lows and unexpected parallels between ski guiding and chasing a passion in a quiet workshop. Music for this episode by Gravy @gravy.tunes www.wyssenavalanche.com www.gordini.com www.opensnow.com www.sixmilebikes.com www.woodenboatshop.ca