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Backcountry Skiing blogs, videos, photos, and a whole lotta stoke.

How Much Is Avalanche Forecasting Worth? | Bend, OR United States | 10/31/08, by AwesomePatrol

As November rolls in so does the holiday season. And traditionally average spending increases faster than acne on an eighth grader. November is also the month where most avalanche centers across the country reopen for winter forecasting.

These folks selflessly donate countless hours to give us up-to-date information that would make fox news jealous. Most of us view their work as a key tool in evaluating whether or not to venture into the backcountry for a ski tour.

Well in the spirit of the holidays be sure to spend a little more by saying thank you to these folks for all their hard work. In a time where government funding is increasingly being cut from organizations like avalanche forecasting, they need our help by any means available; that extra holiday bonus, that 5 dollars you found in you ski pants from last year, or just that change you stole from your baby brother's piggy bank, make it happen.

Donating to avalanche centers is the one way we can help ensure the future of avalanche forecasting. Because let's be honest, whoever gets elected into office this year has already delegated our avalanche forecasters budget to more reputable entities like freddy mac, GM, and an investigation in weapons of mass destruction hidden in the North Pole being the real cause of global warming.