What it Costs the Utah Avalanche Center to Produce Daily Forecasts

Education in the field. Eager snow enthusiasts look on as an instructor shows them how to analyze the snowpack / Photo: Flickr.

An avalanche forecasts is the single most important piece of intelligence to ensure people's safety as they explore the backcountry. Most forecasting operations such as the Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) offer avalanche forecasts free of charge to the public every single day of the season in hopes of keeping all the outdoor explorers safe and secure as they enjoy the epic terrain in the Utah backcountry. And with the warm, wet start to the season in Utah causing unstable layers of snowpack, these forecasts are as pertinent as ever. For over 40 years, the UAC has been providing snow enthusiasts with the crucial information they need to avoid certain death int he backcountry without the use of paywalls or any sort of paid subscriptions for their patrons. Here's how they stay afloat.

The UAC released a 2023-2024 season report after last season detailing its mission statements, community engagement, and company statistics, including a breakdown of income and expenses. The report showed that the majority of its revenue is donated by individuals, or through federal grants, fundraisers and corporate sponsors many of whom are producers of backcountry products such as Black Diamond and Mammut. The UAC is also supported by many Utah ski resorts whose patrollers use UAC's forecasts to inform their avalanche mitigation and avalanche education at the resorts.

Today's avalanche report in Utah / Utah Avalanche Center.

The report also provided an expenses breakdown. Forecasting takes up roughly 45% of spending and education takes up an exorbitant 50%. An email sent out to the UAC mailing list informs its subscribers that each forecast costs around $600; with over 1,000 of these going out each season, those forecasts totals add up to be around $800,000 annually. On the other side of things, the UAC invests heavily into educating Utah's outdoor enthusiasts about outdoor safety, offering a range of educational avenues such as snowpack demonstrations, family classes, and online courses.

The Utah Avalanche Center's upcoming events. Lots of opportunities to learn more about the outdoors and how to read the snow. / Utah Avalanche Center.

The UAC relies heavily on engagement and public donations to stay afloat. You can support the UAC by donating directly and shopping with brands that support the UAC. And whether you're a seasoned professional in the backcountry, or you're just starting to dive into outdoor recreation, it is always paramount to "know before you go." Get your education before stepping foot into potentially hazardous terrain. You can start getting educated using the UAC's website at utahavalanchecenter.org.

Source: SnowBrains

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stash member Marlowe Kushner