About Us

The Sierra Avalanche Center operates as a private-public partnership between the US Forest Service and a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization known as Sierra Avalanche Center.

Together, the Sierra Avalanche Center provides avalanche forecasts and education for safe winter backcountry travel in Tahoe. We are continually working towards a vision of a backcountry community where informed snow travel is the norm, and everyone comes home safe.

Operational Arm — US Forest Service

The Truckee Ranger District of the Tahoe National Forest houses and runs avalanche forecasting operations, provides infrastructure, equipment, office space, management, and partial funding. The forecasters issue daily avalanche advisories from fall through spring. 

Fundraising and Support Arm — Nonprofit Organization

The nonprofit organization raises money to support approximately 75% Forest Service forecasting operations. The nonprofit fundraises 100% of the cost of the professional observers, public avalanche awareness, motorized education, communications and website development and maintenance. It consists of a volunteer board of directors, a volunteer advisory panel, and paid staff to manage programs and operations.

Advisory Area

Sierra Avalanche Center covers approximately 1,500 square miles of the Central Sierra Nevada Mountains of California and Nevada. The advisory area is bound by Highway 49 Yuba Pass on the north and Highway 4 Ebbetts Pass on the south. The advisory covers the avalanche terrain along the Sierra Crest and extends to the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada.

Two inroads to the west side of the Sierra Crest exist within in the advisory area at Carson Pass and at Ebbetts Pass, in order to include the backcountry terrain surrounding the established boundaries of the Kirkwood and Bear Valley ski areas.