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PIONEER RIDGE BEACON BASIN HELPS POWDERHOUNDS BECOME ‘AVY SAVVY’

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO-February 18, 2009-Steamboat's new avalanche beacon basin training area, Pioneer Ridge Beacon Basin, opened this past weekend, making it easier for skiers and snowboarders to learn about using personal avalanche transmitters in a controlled environment.

"The outdoor mountain environment constantly changes and, as we are all aware, can be very unpredictable," said John Kohnke, patrol director for the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation. "With the new Pioneer Ridge Beacon Basin, we are arming backcountry enthusiasts with another way to hone their snow skills and raise backcountry awareness levels across the community."
 
Located at the Patrol Yurt at the top of the Pony Express high-speed quad chairlift, the Pioneer Ridge Beacon Basin currently features 4 transmitters wired to a central control panel. One, or any combination up to all 4 transmitters, may be configured in varying orientations and depths. In the near future, the training area will move to the full compliment of 8 transmitters.  The training area, currently one of just ten beacon training parks across Colorado, is open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Patrol will set up a course to challenge participants on traditional search phases. Beacon Basin challenges participants to isolate a signal with their beacon and locate the buried transmitter with their individual avalanche probe. There are three typical phases to an avalanche beacon search: primary, secondary and pinpoint phases. It is essential to practice all three to become effective with your transceiver. Guests are welcome to practice search skills in Beacon Basin as often as they like.

"Beacon Basin is an excellent way to learn or refine avalanche search skills in a safe and controlled environment," continued Kohnke. "This area came to fruition through cooperative efforts from across the community including the US Forest Service and Routt Country Search & Rescue; Steamboat Patrol and the resort; and, through the sale of merchandise including special Steamboat Patrol t-shirts and hats. Due to the success of this program, I fully anticipate additional community education projects in the future."

Steamboat's Pioneer Ridge Beacon Basin joins a growing number of Beacon Training Parks across nine states in the United States as well as numerous locations across Canada and Europe, including Steamboat's sister resorts-Winter Park and Whistler.

Areas beyond the ski area boundary are not patrolled or maintained; avalanche and other hazards exist. Access to public lands outside the ski area boundary is provided through marked access points. Rescue in the backcountry is the responsibility of the Routt County Sheriff's Office. If available, rescue is costly and may be very slow. It is imperative that powderhounds are prepared with the proper equipment, knowledge and awareness. Avalanche conditions across Colorado are forecasted on a daily basis by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, avalanche.state.co.us.

-www.steamboat.com-