Thank you for supporting the Northwest Avalanche Center! We want to thank you for your generous donation and get to know you better this winter and make some turns in the backcountry together. These days are an exclusive offer to our donors that give $1,500 or more throughout a season. We partner with select guide services to facilitate each trip. NWAC will be joining you on the guided trip, not guiding the trip.
Use the table below to see which days and locations are available. Please use the “Sign Up Link” to register. We ask that each donor only sign up for one day.
Please note that “Total Participants” is the number of donors already registered.
Click on column titles to sort.
| Start Date | Name | Location Notes | Host Organization Name | Total Participants | Registration Link |
|---|
Next Steps After Registration
- You will receive an email confirmation with your registration
- Fill out the NWAC General Waiver
- The guide service hosting your day will contact you with an organization-specific waiver
- NWAC will contact you with further trip coordination details
FAQs
What skill level is needed?
These are not beginner backcountry tours. These are moderately strenuous tours, and trips will range between 3,000-5,000 ft vertical gain. You must be at least an advanced skier/snowboarder and have previous backcountry travel experience. This is not an introduction to backcountry touring. If you have questions about the skills needed to attend, please contact cauri@nwac.us.
What gear do I need?
You will need to provide all of your own backcountry travel gear and avalanche rescue equipment. Each guide service will contact you with specific items you need for your trip. You can use this list for general planning: Recommended Gear
Can I bring a friend or partner on my day out?
If you have a friend you are interested in introducing to the organization, please reach out to scott@nwac.us to discuss the options for bringing them along. Additionally, if your day has open spaces in the days leading up to it we may reach out to offer space to friends/family.
What if I need to cancel?
Please email cauri@nwac.us if you need to cancel your sign-up. When someone cancels, we will reopen their spot. Check back throughout the season if your ideal date/location fills up.
Can I get out on the donor days if I’m not a skier or snowboarder?
At this time, these outings are only offered to moderately experienced backcountry skiers or snowboarders. If you are a snowshoer, snowmobiler, or climber who would like to get outside with us, please reach out to scott@nwac.us to discuss options.
Who is guiding my trip?
We partner with select local guide services to host these days out. The host organization column indicates which guide service is hosting each day. NWAC team members will be getting out with you rather than guiding you.
All of the guides that will be leading trips for NWAC are highly trained and certified through the AMGA (American Mountain Guides Association) or the UIAGM (Union Internationale des Associations de Guides de Montagnes). Both the AMGA and UIAGM run internationally recognized certification programs for aspiring mountain guides.
Do I have to pay for the guiding?
These days are provided as a benefit of your membership with NWAC. Our partner guide services have donated this time, so you do not need to pay for the guiding. We strongly encourage you to tip your guide.
How much should I tip my guide?
Tipping is considered standard practice in the guiding industry and is appreciated by the guides. We generally recommend roughly 10%-15% of the cost of the trip or a flat amount that you are comfortable with. These trips are valued at $500 a person.
If you have any questions please reach out to cauri@nwac.us.
Partner Guide Services
Each of our days out is hosted through one of our recommended local guide services. You can see our guide service partners below. If you plan to hire a guide throughout the season, we recommend you consider these organizations.
