Transceiver
Wear a transmitting avalanche transceiver and practice companion rescue until it is automatic.
Know before you ride · Mountain West
Avalanche
Information
Official forecast links, practical safety essentials, and trusted training providers—all in one place for mountain riders.
01 / Daily decision point
Start with the forecast.
Avalanches happen when a weak layer in the snowpack fails and releases the snow above it. Terrain, recent weather, and the snowpack all matter. Begin every ride with the official regional forecast, then keep observing conditions throughout the day.
Open Avalanche.org02 / Rescue essentials
Gear is only the start.
Get hands-on training, practice with your riding partners, make a plan, and know how to use every tool before entering avalanche terrain.
Probe
Carry a full-length probe where it can be deployed quickly—not buried at the bottom of your pack.
Shovel
A durable metal shovel is essential. Strategic shoveling can save critical minutes in a rescue.
Airbag
An avalanche airbag may help keep a rider near the surface, but it never replaces training or judgment.
03 / Official regional sources
Avalanche centers
Choose your state, then open the forecast for the exact zone where you plan to ride.
California
4 providersEast Central · 01
Bridgeport Avalanche Center
North · 02
Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
North East · 03
Sierra Avalanche Center
South East · 04
Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
Colorado
1 providerColorado · 01
Colorado Avalanche Information Center
Idaho
3 providersNorthern Idaho · 01
Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
Western Idaho · 02
Payette Avalanche Center
Central Idaho · 03
Sawtooth Avalanche Center
Montana
3 providersNorthwestern Montana · 01
Flathead Avalanche Center
Western Montana · 02
Missoula Avalanche Center
Southwestern Montana · 03
Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center
Nevada
1 providerNevada · 01
Sierra Avalanche Center
New Mexico
1 providerNew Mexico · 01
Taos Avalanche Center
Oregon
3 providersCentral · 01
Central Oregon Avalanche Center
East · 02
Wallowa Avalanche Center
North · 03
Northwest Avalanche Center
Utah
1 providerUtah · 01
Utah Avalanche Center
Washington
1 providerWashington · 01
Northwest Avalanche Center
Wyoming
2 providersWyoming · 01
Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
Eastern Wyoming · 02
Eastern Wyoming Avalanche Information Exchange
Snow and avalanche observation sharing and resources for backcountry users in Eastern Wyoming.
04 / Hands-on education
Training providers
Build the skills to recognize avalanche terrain, make better decisions, and perform companion rescue.
Colorado
Colorado · 01
Mountain Skillz
Avalanche training with Matt Entz.
Colorado · 02
Tyler’s Backcountry Awareness
Backcountry education based in Fort Collins.
Colorado · 03
Mike Duffy — Avalanche1
AAA-certified avalanche instructor and school.
Colorado · 04
Avalanche Savvy
Lee Blazek, Steamboat Springs.
Colorado · 05
Powder Pro Lab
Avalanche education in Leadville.
California / Nevada
California / Nevada · 01
Let’s Ride Tahoe
Tahoe-based riding and safety training.
California / Nevada · 02
SWS Mountain Guides
Mt. Shasta, Mt. Whitney and beyond.
Idaho
Idaho · 01
Six Points Avalanche Education
Avalanche education serving Idaho.
Montana
Montana · 01
Ride Rasmussen Style
Backcountry riding instruction in West Yellowstone.
Utah
Utah · 01
Mountain Slayerz LLC
Mountain riding instruction in the Salt Lake area.
Utah · 02
Backcountry Institute LLC
Utah-based backcountry training.
Wyoming
Wyoming · 01
NXT LVL Riding Clinics
Snowmobile riding and safety clinics in Alpine.
Wyoming · 02
The Mountain Riding Lab
Jackson Hole-based mountain education.