Avalanche Safety: A Snow-Brainer for Olympic National Park

July 19, 2023

By: Alex Day, Marketing/Communications & Database Director

Olympic National Park is an incredible destination year-round, but it’s exceptionally beautiful in the colder months when it becomes a winter wonderland complete with snow-capped mountains, sparkling lakes, and endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. But with all that beauty comes danger. Avalanches are a real threat in the park, and they can be deadly. That’s why it’s so important to be prepared when you’re heading out into the backcountry in the park no matter the season.

In the past two winters, visitation to Olympic National Park during the winter months has increased by 12%, and unfortunately, there has also been an increase in avalanche accidents. There were 37 avalanche fatalities in the United States in the 2020-2021 snow season – the highest number on record.

Preparing the Park’s First Responders

Park rangers are committed to keeping visitors safe especially as crowds grow. An Avalanche Education and Training project, funded by Washington’s National Park Fund donors, is helping to provide first responders with the skills they need to respond to avalanche accidents.

Last year, Olympic National Park hosted two avalanche safety courses at Hurricane Ridge. Taught by BC Adventure Guides, the courses cover topics such as avalanche safety, rescue techniques, avalanche forecasting, and how to stay safe in avalanche terrain. The classes were open to all Olympic National Park first responders, including rangers, ski patrollers, and search and rescue volunteers.

“This project helped develop critical safety and rescue skills for 35 first responders,” shared Chief Ranger Scott Jacobs, and their team anticipates even more first responders will be reached to further enhance their skills in the years to come. These training efforts are crucial, especially considering the surge in winter visitation to Olympic National Park during the past two years, during which backcountry skiing and snowshoeing saw a 57% and 65% increase respectively.

Curious about Search and Rescue (SAR) in Washington’s national parks? Check out our Virtual Field Trip featuring Stefan Lofgren, Climbing Program Manager at Mount Rainier National Park, Daniel Carmiccia, Chief Ranger at North Cascades National Park, and Scott Jacobs, Chief Ranger at Olympic National Park.
These qualified park rangers share the ins and outs of this essential park operation, how it’s funded, and provide important tips to help visitors avoid getting into a SAR situation to begin with.
Two men in yellow jackets standing on a snowy slope with hiking poles and avalanche safety gear.
First responders gain important avalanche safety and rescue skills through annual trainings, supported in part by donations to Washington’s National Park Fund. Photo by NPS/Scott Jacobs.

Donors Make a Difference for Snow Safety

By supporting projects like avalanche education and training, donors can help ensure the safety of visitors and park staff while also protecting the park’s wilderness.

In addition to keeping visitors safe by providing first responders with the skills they need to respond to avalanche accidents, this project also helps the park to raise awareness of avalanche safety among park visitors and promote responsible backcountry recreation in Olympic National Park.

It’s up to all of us to ensure we’re experiencing the backcountry responsibly and safely. Here are some ways you can help:

  • Learn about avalanche safety. The more you know, the safer you’ll be in the backcountry.
  • Be prepared for avalanches. Carry the proper gear and know how to use it.
  • Travel with a buddy. It’s always safer to travel with someone else.
  • Tell a friend. The more people who know about avalanche safety, the better.
  • Donate to Washington’s National Park Fund. Your gift will help support important projects like this one.

Washington’s National Park Fund is the official philanthropic partner to Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks. With your help, we raise private support to preserve and protect Washington’s national parks, funding scientific research, youth and family experiences, and projects that will keep these parks strong and vital now and forever, for everyone.

Cover photo by Nate Brown, WNPF Creative Partner

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