Pro rider founded, all women’s avalanche clinic returns for 5th year

December 7, 2016

Introduces first ever Co-Ed class

With the first snow dusting peaks across the country, SAFE AS clinics returns to educate and inspire female skiers and snowboarders in unique, professionally taught avalanche clinics. In its fifth year, SAFE AS is conducting four women’s specific clinics as well as its first class open to guys. On December 11th in Squaw Valley, CA, professional skier Cody Townsend will be on hand to share his experiences and to provide a fresh perspective on decision-making in the backcountry. Special guest professional snowboarder Kimmy Fasani will join the Squaw Valley women’s clinics December 10^th and December 12th, and returning favorite pro snowboarder Robin Van Gyn will be joining the Washington events December 17th at Crystal Mountain and December 18th at Stevens Pass.

The clinic (Skiers Advocating and Fostering Education and Snow Safety) founded by professional skiers Elyse Saugstad, Ingrid Backstrom, Michelle Parker, Jackie Paaso and Lel Tone, plus philanthropist and yogi Sherry McConkey, aims to empower backcountry snow enthusiasts through positive snow safety education. Each one day event presents participants with the classroom and on-mountain curriculum of the AIARE Intro to Avalanche course, capped with morning yoga, beacon and group rescue practice, and an apres party and fundraiser with refreshments and tons of raffle prizes.

Since its inception in 2011, the SAFE AS tour has traveled to four different states, reached over 600 participants ranging in age from 15-70, and raised nearly $20,000 for local non-profits including the High Fives Foundation and Sierra Avalanche Center.

SAFE AS offers a range of partial and full scholarships to help ensure that all enthusiasts are able to take part. In 2015 alone, 17 full and partial scholarships were awarded. For more information on scholarships, discounts, dates and sign-ups, go to www.safeasclinics.com. For direct contact: safeasclinics@gmail.com.

S.A.F.E. A.S. is made possible with the support of:

Squaw Valley Resort, Crystal Mountain Resort, Stevens Pass Resort, High Fives Foundation, Live Like Liz Foundation, Coalition Snow, Eddie Bauer, Blizzard/Tecnica, Orage, The North Face, Helly Hansen, MIPS, Recco, Nature’s Bakery, Hestra, BCA, Jones Snowboards, Old Town Cellars, Anon, Ortovox, Scott, Recco, Clif, evo, Red Bull, Hiball, Lululemon, Arcade Belt Co, Giro, Volkl/Marker, Black Crows, GoPro, Roxy,Wildflour Bakery, KIND, Hanah, Suja Juice, Resqwater, Icicle Brewing Co., and AIARE