Northwest Avalanche Center

Non-Profit Partner

The Northwest Avalanche Center exists to increase avalanche awareness, reduce avalanche impacts, and equip the community with weather and avalanche forecasts, education, and data. We envision a community of backcountry users in the Pacific Northwest who are aware of avalanche risk, making informed decisions, and returning safely.

The NWAC education program annually offers around 300 free avalanche basic awareness classes at local outdoor, ski, and snowmobile shops and by special arrangement with various organizations. Beyond basic awareness, NWAC offers unique workshops, community events, and links to valuable resources for continued learning, growth, and engagement with the Pacific Northwest backcountry user population.


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Why We Work Together

The avalanche forecast information and educational opportunities NWAC provides the backcountry community in the Pacific Northwest are critical for safe winter travel and recreation in the Cascades and the surrounding region. Outdoor Research is proud to be the official uniform partner for NWAC's avalanche forecasters and staff, providing the backcountry experts we trust with the gear they can trust while working in the field.



โ€œOutdoor Research's gear is essential for our forecasters when venturing into the field, especially on cold, stormy days. Their support is critical to deliver the snow and avalanche forecasts the Pacific Northwest community relies on.โ€

โ€“ Scott Schell, Executive Director, NWAC