The 10th annual Montana State University Snow and Avalanche Workshop will be held on Wednesday, November 13th 2024 from 4-8pm in SUB Ballroom A. Join us in-person or online via livestream!

SAW 2024 poster

Outline of the Workshop:

4-5pm: Vendor Hour! Meet and mingle with representatives from local businesses, gear companies, and community partners. Purchase your raffle tickets for a chance to win prizes from all of sponsors. Light snacks provided. 

5pm: Awareness Presentations:

  1. Intro to the Workshop and the "Why" behind the MSU SAW: Matt Caires, MSU Dean of Students
  2. Avalanche Education and Safety Resources for Students: Riley Shafer, Rental Shop Coordinator, MSU Outdoor Recreation Program
  3. American Avalanche Association (A3) Updates: Emily Struss,American Avalanche Association

  4. The Landscape of Avalanche Education in Bozeman: Shannon Regan, Education Coordinator for the Friends of Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center (GNFAC)

  5. Getting to know your local Avalanche Center: GNFAC forecaster team

6pm: Research Presentations:

  1. “Whacking on snow”: Sam Verplanck, Assistant Professor, MSU Civil Engineering Department

  2.  “snow cover simulations on wet snow”: Andrea Bruckmeier, PhD student, Earth Sciences Department

6:45pm: “Effectively alone”: Mark Staples, Director of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center (GNFAC)

7:10pm: Panel Discussion on "The Power of Partnerships: teamwork in the backcountry," moderated byDrew Pogge, Owner and Lead Guide of Big Sky Backcountry Guides. 

*All are welcome for this free event which will both run in-person and live streamed on-line (live stream link will be posted here as the date approaches). 

If you’re a business owner, gear representative, or community partner interested in hosting a table at the vendor fair or donating to our raffle, please fill out this form:

Sign up to have a table at the vendor fair

Attendees will be eligible to win prizes from Montana Backcountry Yurts, Backcountry Access, Black Diamond, and more!

Parking and Location Information:

The event is held in the Strand Union Building (SUB). 

https://goo.gl/maps/zNyDejEu4nPQSNocA

https://www.montana.edu/campusmap/#!/

https://www.montana.edu/parking/directions.html

To view archived presentations of past Snow and Avalanche Workshops, please visit our SAW Archives page here: SAW Archives