Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Don't be tweakin', learn the beacon...


Araphahoe Basin, which has the dubious honor on having more skiers killed by in-bounds avalanches than any other Colorado Resort (2), holds its fourth annual Beacon Bowl and Avalanche Awareness Day Saturday, February 4.
The day starts at 10 a.m. with an avalanche transceiver competition for recreational and pro levels.
Beacon companies
Back Country Access (BCA), and Ortovox will be demoing transceivers, shovels, probes and other avalanche gear, so you don't have to own a $300 transceiver to get in on the games and get hands-on experience on how these gizmos work.
I know, you're saying, "I don't ski backcountry. Why do I need to know how to use a transceiver." Well, ever dream of going heli-skiing some day? Or 'cat skiing? Or even skiing at
Silverton Mountain? All of these worthy snow expeditions demand beacon knowledge.
Besides, hunting beacons in the snow is fun, and if you get tired of it, hey, you're at
A Basin. Go ski. Where, depending on your choice of terrain, a beacon might not be a bad idea.
Now to quote at length from today's press release for all the details:
"Transceiver clinics will be conducted by BCA and Orthovox.An avalanche dog demonstration will take place 1:30 p.m. with Summit County ski area avy dogs represented. .Incredible prizes will be awarded to the top finishers of the Beacon Bowl and a raffle will be held for products donated by BCA, Mountain Smith, Black Diamond, Ortovox, Wilderness Sports, New Belgium and Vitamin Water.Après ski party will begin at 3:30 p.m. on the second floor of the A-Frame.Sponsored by New Belgium Brewery, the $3 per draft beer suggested donation will be given to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.Registration will be at A-Basin on the day of the event."

-Dave

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