Educational Events

Avalanche transceivers, or beacons, are the best tools we have to find someone buried in an avalanche. Join us and learn how to use one and effectively carry out a companion rescue. It is also a great chance to brush up on your skills. Don't yet have a beacon of your own? Not to worry! We'll have several different types (BCA, Ortovox, Pieps, Mammut/Barryvox) for you to try out. Dress to be outside on the snow. Think warm footwear and gloves! These clinics take place at the Bunny Flat meadow area. Look for our flags!

Don't want to listen to us yak away? You can still come and run through the beacon courses a few times to hone your rescue skills. It's always good to refresh your skills at the beginning of every season. Remember, YOU are the rescue party! Get dialed. 

We'll meet at the Bunny Flat parking lot/trailhead about 9 am. Look for the Mount Shasta Avalanche Center flags!

Know Before You Go is a free avalanche awareness program. Not much science, no warnings to stay out of the mountains, no formulas to memorize. In 1 hour, you will see the destructive power of avalanches, understand when and why they happen, and how you can have fun in the mountains and avoid avalanches.

The high energy videos and the jaw-dropping slide show, along with the Q&A chat with an avalanche professional, takes the breath away from adults, children, and everyone in between. 

The KBYG program has 3 parts, an 18 minute video, a slide show, and a Q&A session, all led by a local avalanche professional. The images are eye-catching and pack a punch. Viewers see the destructive power of avalanches, how people get in trouble, and the basics of how to avoid them, all through the eyes of avalanche professionals, pro athletes, accident victims and rescuers, and their peers. We don't preach and we don't tell skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers to stay home - we encourage them to get some education to get out and have fun safely.

This is an in-person Know Before You Go avalanche awareness presentation at Redding Sports LTD.

Know Before You Go is a free avalanche awareness program. Not too much science, no warnings to stay out of the mountains, and no formulas to memorize. In a little over an hour, you will see the destructive power of avalanches, understand when and why they happen and, most importantly, how you can safely have fun in the mountains and avoid avalanches.

The high energy videos and the jaw-dropping slide show, along with the Q&A chat with an avalanche professional, takes the breath away from adults, children, and everyone in between. Viewers see the destructive power of avalanches, how people get in trouble, ande basics of how to avoid them, all through the eyes of avalanche professionals, pro athletes, accident victims and rescuers, and their peers. We don't preach and we certainly don't tell skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers to stay home - rather we encourage them to get some education to get out and have fun safely.

The Race Page is not quite live, but will be soon! Registration will open on November 30th. This year's theme is "Psychedelic", so bust out your grooviest gear and get on down here to race uphill with all your friends!

We've got something special in the works for this one. So stay tuned for a big announcement!

The Friends of the Mount Shasta Avalanche Center and the Mount Shasta Ski Park present the 11th annual Shasta Ascension backcountry ski and splitboard race. 

Just a heads-up, we've added a Heavy Metal category! Bust out the leather pants and hairspray, 'cause it's your time to shine.

The race follows a traditional ski-mo (ski mountaineering) format of a timed event that follows an established trail through challenging winter alpine terrain while passing through a series of checkpoints. Racers climb and descend under their own power using backcountry skiing equipment and techniques.

Randonee, telemark, and split boards are welcome. Racers should be comfortable climbing and descending advanced terrain. New last year and baqck again, we've added categories for the groms! Got a youngster at home that charges harder than you do, (no shame, they all do) get 'em signed up for the Shasta Ascension Junior Course!

Other Activities

The Fifth Season will be sponsoring a backcountry ski demo day. Leading companies representing backcountry ski gear are invited to attend. Demo the very best in ski mountaineering/randonee gear available on the market today for no charge (valid driver’s license and credit card required).

The Snow Ball will be happening at the City Park. This year's musical guest is TBD, but we're close! Tickets will be available at The Fifth Season prior to the event, or at the Ascension Race itself.

Additionally, back by popular demand, the Silent Auction will be virtual! Bid on items in the Silent Auction ranging from fly-fishing trips to backcountry gear, and just about everything in-between. Items will be added nearly every week from now until the start of the Silent Auction. Take a look and make sure you've got your plan to maximize your bids and help support the Avalanche Center. Open from January 19th through January 25th. If you're at the Snow Ball, you can take your winning items home with you!