❄️ January 2026 Newsletter

Happy New Year from the West Central Montana Avalanche Center!

We’re excited to share that we are entering the New Year with a return to our regular avalanche forecasting schedule.

Forecasts will be issued Thursday–Sunday, with a general information product on Mondays covering conditions from Monday–Wednesday. This season, we will be issuing forecasts in the Rattlesnake, Bitterroot, and Seeley Lake areas — an increase in both forecast days and forecast area compared to last season.

This rebound would not have been possible without your support. If you became a member, made a donation, attended an event, or took an avalanche course with us in 2025 — thank you!

Our avalanche forecasting program is also made possible through an agreement with the Forest Service, and we’d like to thank our partners at the Lolo, Bitterroot, Nez Perce–Clearwater and Salmon-Challis National Forests for their continued collaboration.

📚 Education

The snow is falling, the mountains are calling, and our education courses are here to help you hone your skills before heading into the backcountry.

As a recognized American Avalanche Association (A3) provider, we meet the highest standards in avalanche education and offer courses for every skill level. Visit our website to explore our full list of course offerings.

Upcoming Courses

  • January 20 — Avalanche Level 1 | Lolo Pass Backcountry
  • January 27 — Avalanche Level 1 | Lost Trail Pass Backcountry
  • February 9 — Women’s Avalanche Level 2 + Rescue | Rattlesnake Wilderness

Already completed your Level 1 or Level 2?
The American Avalanche Association (A3) recommends taking an Avalanche Rescue Course every 2–3 years to maintain proficiency and stay current with evolving equipment and protocols.

Avalanche Rescue Courses

  • Online: January 28, 2026 @ 6:00 PM
    • Field Day: Saturday, January 31
  • Online: February 4, 2026 @ 6:00 PM
    • Field Day: Saturday, February 7 or Sunday, February 8

🎉 Events

This winter, we’re hosting a series of fun and educational community events. These are a great way to meet fellow backcountry users, share winter stoke, and support the Avalanche Center.

We’d love to see you there!

  • January 10 — Bitterroot Brewing Pint Night
    Hamilton, MT | 5:00–8:00 PM
  • January 15 — Mountain Weather Workshop
    Missoula, MT | 6:00–7:30 PM
  • February 19 — Highlander Brewing Pint Night
    Missoula, MT | 5:00–8:00 PM

👉 Check out our Events page for full details and updates here.

👋 Welcome, Nata!

We’re thrilled to welcome Nata de Leeuw to our forecasting team. Nata grew up in Calgary, Alberta, in a ski-loving family and spent her winters in the mountains. She earned a degree in Earth Sciences from the University of British Columbia Okanagan before returning to Alberta to begin her avalanche career as a ski patroller at Castle Mountain Resort.

Over seven seasons, Nata became a control route leader and forecast team member while spending summers working with Parks Canada on whitebark pine research and restoration.

Inspired by persistent wind slab challenges and endless winter storms, she pursued further research at Montana State University, earning a Master’s Degree in Snow and Avalanche Sciences in 2023. Her thesis, Meteorological Controls on Wind Slab Properties, has been presented at the International Snow Science Workshop and numerous regional avalanche workshops.

Since graduating, Nata has taught for the American Avalanche Institute, mapped wildfires, returned briefly to ski patrolling at Beartooth Basin, and — most importantly — enjoyed more time recreating in the mountains.

📝 Submit an Observation

You can help our forecasters by submitting observations anytime you’re out in the field — no snow science background required.

Helpful observations include:

  • Inches of snow that accumulated on your vehicle
  • Temperature and time of day for your activity
  • Photos of recent avalanches or other signs of instability

Ideally, observations are submitted the same day they’re collected. Snow, weather, and avalanche conditions change quickly, and timely observations are the most valuable.

🤝 Memberships

Our membership program plays a critical role in supporting avalanche forecasting, education, and community outreach.

By becoming a member, you help ensure the Avalanche Center can continue meeting the needs of our growing backcountry community — now and into the future.

👉 Become a member here
👉 Update your membership amount or payment method by logging into your account here

🫶 Thank You

Thank you for being part of the West Central Montana Avalanche Center community.

As we enter the new year with a return to regular avalanche forecasting across the Rattlesnake, Bitterroot, and Seeley Lake areas, we are deeply grateful for the support that made this possible. Whether you became a member, made a donation, attended an event, took an avalanche course, or shared our work with others, your support directly strengthens avalanche forecasting, education, and public safety across our region.

Please keep the snow dances going, keep submitting observations when you’re out in the mountains, and stay engaged with the courses, events, and resources that help keep our backcountry community informed and prepared.

We could not do this work without you.

With gratitude,
West Central Montana Avalanche Foundation
Board of Directors