Avalanche
The 22nd annual Colorado Snow and Avalanche Workshop (CSAW) is Friday, October 27 at the Riverwalk Center in Breckenridge. CSAW is a professional-level event with content aimed at avalanche industry workers and advanced recreationalists. All are welcome to join for a day of presentations, networking, and displays from our industry partners.
CSAW is a live, in-person event. A recording of the event is also available for purchase. Doors will open at 8 AM. Presentations run from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM with breaks. Lunch is not included, we encourage you to visit one of the many nearby establishments that Breckenridge offers within walking distance. A social hour presented by the American Avalanche Association (AAA) and Mammut follows the presentations with beer supplied by Fat Tire.
CSAW is a program of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) and 501c3 partner Friends of CAIC. CSAW is presented by sponsors Dynafit and Pomoca. Tickets cost $10-$45.
See below for the full speaker schedule.
Colorado Snow and Avalanche Workshop Live In Person Schedule
October 27, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM Mountain Time – Riverwalk Center, Breckenridge, Colorado
Agenda – Friday, October 27th, 2023 – Riverwalk Center, Breckenridge CO
- 8:00 DOORS OPEN
- 8:30 Welcome – Ethan Greene, CAIC
- 8:35 Stability tests: Comparing tests to each other and understanding the uncertainty associated with their results – Karl Birkeland, Friends of CAIC/Birkeland Snow and Avalanche Scientific
- 9:00 What’s the score: Scoring snowpits for better communication and decision making – Dave Richards, Alta Ski Area
- 9:25 The relationship between whumpf observations and avalanche activity in Colorado – Jason Konigsberg, CAIC
- 9:50 – 10:20 BREAK
- 10:20 Human-Centered Avalanche Susceptibility Mapping (H-CASM): A new perspective on avalanche susceptibility maps – Lindsey Rotche, University of New Mexico
- 10:45 Meteorological controls on wind slab physical properties – Nata de Leeuw, Montana State University
- 11:10 2024 Winter Weather Outlook – Lucas Boyer, National Weather Service
- 11:35 – 1:00 LUNCH
- 1:00 New insight into dry slab avalanche release, how do we know, and why do we care – Ron Simenhois, CAIC
- 1:25 When is it a wind slab, and when is it a storm slab? – Nata de Leeuw, Montana State University
- 1:50 Using tree rings to compare Colorado’s 2019 avalanche cycle to previous large avalanche cycles – Ethan Greene, CAIC
- 2:15 – 2:45 BREAK
- 2:45 Introducing a new Simon Fraser University and CAIC Research Project – Ethan Greene, CAIC
- 2:55 Ski resort RACS: Planning and development of a ski resort RACS installation from A to Z – Dave Richards, Alta Ski Area
- 3:20 Historic wet slab avalanche in post season at Yellowstone Club – Doug McCabe, Yellowstone Club
- 3:45 CAIC’s 50th Anniversary – Ethan Greene, CAIC
- 4 – 5:30 SOCIAL HOUR Presented by American Avalanche Association (AAA), Mammut, and Fat Tire
In person attendees will get a limited edition 50th Anniversary koozie!
