The Northwest Snow and Avalanche Workshop
Join the Northwest Avalanche Center for a day of learning and take the next step in your backcountry education. At the Northwest Snow and Avalanche Workshop (NSAW) you’ll hear from leading avalanche practitioners and researchers as they present on avalanche safety, mountain stories, and technical innovations. Everyone, regardless of their experience, will walk away with new tools for the backcountry.
Date: October 25, 2025
Location: Cascadia College, Bothell
Join Northwest Avalanche Center’s staff and learn the fundamentals around travel in the wintertime backcountry via virtual workshops. Each week focuses on a skill that helps you build a travel plan and understand your resources for traveling in avalanche terrain. Workshops are dynamic and interactive, providing opportunities to ask all your questions of the professionals at NWAC.
This 5-week virtual class will run on Wednesdays beginning October 29, 2025. Classes run from 6:00-8:00 PM over Zoom.
Have a conflict or joining late? All registered students will automatically receive recordings of all five sessions.
2025/26 Laying Tracks Dates
Wednesday October 29, 2025 – Packs & Partners: Choosing the Right Gear & the Right Partners for Your Day
Wednesday November 5, 2025 – Mountain Weather Forecasts: Using Weather Forecasts and Data to Optimize Your Plan
Wednesday November 12, 2025 – NWAC Avalanche Forecasts: Pro Tips for Interpreting the Forecast
Wednesday November 19, 2025 – Winter Navigation: Using Maps to Identify Avalanche Terrain & Snowpack Development
Wednesday December 3, 2025 – Putting It All Together: Creating a Trip Plan for Winter Backcountry Travel