Avalanche center welcomes new director
Jeff Thompson, pictured with his avalanche rescue dog, Annie, is the new director fo the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center. —Photo courtesy U.S. FOREST SERVICE
SANDPOINT — The Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center is welcoming Jeff Thompson as its new executive director.
Thompson joins IPAC with a wealth of knowledge and experience, including 20 years of snow industry safety. Thompson comes to the IPAC from central Colorado where he was the head of snow safety for Beaver Creek Mountain. He also brings extensive trails, wilderness, and winter sports experience from his many years working with the White River National Forest.
“I’m excited to encourage involvement from all people and groups who participate in winter recreation — from backcountry skiers to snowmobilers and snowbikers,” said Thompson. He is also looking forward to learning all he can about the IPAC forecast area and the nuances of the area’s snowpack.
In addition to his IAC role, Thompson will be ski patrolling at Schweitzer Mountain alongside his trusty canine companion Annie — a trained Avalanche Rescue dog.
Thompson Jeff and his family are thrilled to combine their love of mountains and water here in North Idaho, and are happily settling into the Sandpoint community.
The Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center forecasts avalanche conditions in our beautiful Idaho Panhandle National Forests, and offers numerous avalanche awareness educational opportunities and classes, most of which are free to the public.
More information about IPAC, including avalanche forecasts, snow reports, and class schedules, can be found at http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/ipnf/home.