“Practice. Practice. Practice.” This mantra is commonly echoed by Avalanche Educators as they guide students in mastering their equipment and refining rescue skills. But how can this learning process be accelerated? Case studies show that access to dedicated training sites significantly enhances skill development.
Utilizing a beacon training park allows you to hone advanced search and rescue skills in more realistic scenarios. If you’re based in or visit west-central Montana, you have four convenient locations to practice at your own pace. These training areas offer safe, group-oriented opportunities to improve your skills and become a more effective backcountry partner.
Click HERE for the BCA video tutorial
Beacon parks have not been installed yet due to limited snowfall. We will update this page as soon as they are available.
1. Lolo Pass Beacon Training Park | Visitor Center
Each winter, a wireless avalanche beacon training park is installed at Lolo Pass, available for use 7 days a week. Snowmobilers will need to walk from the parking lot to access the site. To use the park, you must have a transceiver and a probe. This 8-unit station is designed for ease of use and emits a signal when a probe strikes the buried target. Please follow the instructions on the control box and refrain from digging up the strike panels. If the unit is not functioning properly, please notify Visitor Center staff.
The Lolo Pass Visitor Center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time). Winter Recreation Passes are required for all vehicles parked in the Lolo Pass parking area. Day, Season, and Bundle Winter Recreation Passes can be purchased at the Visitor Center during business hours. After-hours Day Passes are available at the front door, with payment by exact cash or check only. Day and Season Passes are also available for purchase at The Trailhead in Missoula on Front St.
Organized groups wishing to use the training park for educational or training purposes should contact the Lolo Pass Visitor Center at (208) 942-3113 to inquire about special use permit requirements.
2. Peter Maxwell Memorial Beacon Training Park | Montana Snowbowl Ski Area
The Snowbowl Beacon Training Park is located at the Point Six exit to the backcountry, just off the trail to Nutcracker. The control panel is on-site and can be found by following the sign directing users to the red station box (approximately 5-6 feet in height). To access the park, you must purchase a lift ticket or have a valid ski pass.
3. Lost Trail Beacon Training Park | Lost Trail Powder Mountain Ski Area
The Lost Trail Beacon Training Park is open during the ski area’s operational hours and is located at the top of Chair 3. To use the park, visit the Base Ski Patrol Shack on the east side of the lodge to check out a Beacon controller. The dispatcher will assist with the rental. A sign-out sheet and a valid ID or credit card will be required. The Beacon controller must be returned to the Base Ski Patrol Shack when you are finished. Use of the Beacon Park is free of charge.
To access the training area from the parking lot, walk to the top of Chair 3 and turn left (south) toward the generator shack. Behind the generator shack, along the tree line that runs uphill, you will find a red station box (approximately 5-6 feet in height). Place the controller box inside the red station box, turn it on, and flip the switches to begin searching for beacons. Beacons are buried under a plywood panel. A probe strike on the buried panel will trigger a beeping sound from the corresponding switch in the controller.
Single and multiple burial searches are available by activating beacons 1 through 4. The beacons are located within 200 feet of the red station box. Please do not dig up the beacons.
When finished, close the red station box and return the controller to the Base Ski Patrol Shack. Exercise caution around skiers exiting the ski area to access the parking lot. Always stay east of the bull wheel house for Chair 3 and south of the generator shack.
4. Seeley Lake Beacon Training Park | Driftriders Warming Hut
The Seeley Lake Beacon Training Park is located at the Warming Hut in the Deer Creek drainage, northwest of Seeley Lake. This training site is near the Lake Elsina and Lake Dinah riding areas, providing convenient access for riders in the region.
The ability to support and maintain beacon training parks results from volunteer efforts and public and private partnerships. Learn More HERE
