It's about to be a very eventful week for all our skiers, snowboarders, and other winter athletes out there. It is the third annual Tahoe Backcountry Safety Awareness Week.
Starting tomorrow this event will include a week-long series of mostly free, in-person, and virtual activities focused on safety in the backcountry for all levels of backcountry snow sports enthusiasts from beginners to experts.
"We have a panel on how to be safe and courteous to others when you're out there," says Anne Rarick, Board President for Tahoe Backcountry Alliance.
Rarick says that it's important to educate the community on how to stay safe in the backcountry because it is such a high-risk activity.
She tells us that people could face serious consequences if they don't follow proper safety tips, and they want to help prevent that.
"So avalanches are a big one, also getting hurt, so how to take care of someone if they get hurt, and things like that," says Rarick.
This event also benefits local nonprofit organizations. "It's a really awesome way to raise awareness on how to be safe, how to be a friend in the backcountry, and a lot of the events are fundraisers for awesome organizations like Sierra Avalanche Center, the Tahoe Snowmobilers, and Tahoe Backcountry Alliance."
Tahoe Backcountry Safety Awareness Week is a free event. All you need to do is sign up for any activities you'd like to participate in.
"I'm super excited for the She Jumps event and then some of the on-snow ones with the guides. Not a lot of snow out there but there's always an opportunity to learn and practice," Rarick says.
To see the scheduled events for the full week you can click here.
