Snowbird Ski Patrol's blog

Wasatch Backcountry Rescue – Snowbird (WBR) is looking for one to two interns for the 2011/2012 winter season.  Interns will assist with the formulation of website content, blog content, accident reports, snow safety data, editing of rescue manuals, and a variety of other projects throughout the winter season. 

In addition to assisting WBR with administrative functions, interns will have the opportunity to observe and train with professional ski patrolmen and backcountry rescuers in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah.

Requirements:

Basic Avalanche Transceiver Skills Clinics

Learn how to navigate the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache Backcountry safely with Snowbird’s expert guides. In this seminar you will learn how to use transceivers as well as mountain rescue techniques. There is no need to sign-up. Just show up in the rooms below! If you have a transceiver, bring it.

- Saturday, January 7, 2012  Alpine B  5 – 6 p.m.  FREE clinic

- Friday, February 3, 2012  Alpine C  5 – 6 p.m.  FREE clinic

- Friday, March 2, 2012  Alpine B   5 – 6 p.m.  FREE clinic

Snowbird Ski Patrol is sponsoring a Outdoor Emergency Care course March 28th through April 27th; Mondays and Wednesdays 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

For more information contact Dennis: deedurrant@hotmail.com

The WBR International Dog School was founded in 1981 in Little Cottonwood Canyon Utah.  The Dog School is held biannually.  On even numbered years the school is held in house for WBR member teams.  On odd numbered years it is open to International dog rescue teams.  This year the 2011 WBR International Dog School was held January 10-14.

Slick...that is the general consensus of the WBR Interagency training in Little Cottonwood Canyon on Friday, December 17, 2010.  The Interagency training was designed to facilitate the seamless interface of the several WBR affiliated agencies that operate as an cohesive team in the Wasatch Mountains of northern Utah.

The mountains of Utah are filled with countless opportunities to explore new areas and experience the epic terrain up close.  However, as more and more people push farther into the back country, the importance of the professional rescuer being prepared for a back country call out increases dramatically.  The evolution and proliferation of touring equipment has made it easier for the average individual to get out and about.  In the event that you do get called out on a backcountry rescue, make sure your gear is in good working order and that you have the best combination of equipment to get yourself in and out in one piece.

On February 20th, 2010 WBR Snowbird hosted a Level A dog test for the Canyons Ski Patrol team.  WBR has pioneered the U.S. Standard for avalanche dog testing.  Currently, in all avalanche dog tests, WBR adheres to the current WBR validation rules, levels of verification, and uses a standardized test evaluation form.

VALIDATION RULES

WBR Snowbird and the Snowbird Ski Patrol in conjunction with Backcountry Access is testing the new BCA Avalanche Airbag System.  The backpack, the Float 30 Avalanche Airbag, was created with concept of keeping a skier caught in an avalanche on top of the slide in addition to protecting vital organs and preventing injury.

From BCA's Website

Come out have a load of fun and support the WBR in-house avalanche rescue dog school! 

On Friday, January 8th, Alta Ski Area hosted a training session for twelve WBR avalanche rescue dogs and their handlers.  The training was based on the Swiss four phase progression method.  The teams participated in a brief socialization and classroom session followed by four hours of field work.  Each participant had the opportunity to play each role in the progression - instructor, shoveler, and victim.

January 7th & 8th, 2010 WBR Snowbird sponsored a training session with the long range receiver in a mock backcountry avalanche rescue scenario.  Snowbird Ski Patrol, AirMed, and the Salt Lake County Sheriffs' Search and Rescue participated in the event.  The training was very beneficial to all parties involved and fostered the type of inter-agency cooperation that will lead to positive and effective working relationship in the future.