By Fischer Genau DIGITAL MEDIA LEAD
Powder Blast, the Friends of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center’s annual fundraiser, will take place on Oct. 22 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Elm. This year, they say, will be their biggest yet.
“We want to expand it, draw in a bigger crowd, and have more fun this year,” Mark Staples, the director and forecaster for GNFAC, told EBS. “It’ll be a celebration of all things backcountry.”
Powder Blast will feature entertainment by DJ Missy O’Malley and Bozeman band Roadrunner, as well as dinner, a cash bar, and a raffle and silent auction with outdoor gear and goods from local businesses. Tickets are $40 per person.
For the past few years, Friends of the GNFAC has held the event at the Emerson Center for the Arts & Culture, but Staples said with a venue change, they hope to bring in a wider range of people this year.
“We want to cast a broader net, and we want to invite as many new people in as well,” Staples said.
Powder Blast is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Avalanche Center.
“We really depend on it,” Staples said.
The money raised will go towards the GNFAC’s education programs, including low-cost introductory avalanche classes and free presentations.
“This fundraising allows us to lower the bar, to make the point of entry a lot easier for folks, and then they can take it from there,” Staples said.
It will also help fund their website, frequented by lovers of backcountry snowsports who rely on it for a timely and accurate avalanche forecast before heading out. Staples said that the GNFAC is implementing a new online avalanche forecast system this year, and Powder Blast will help pay for it.
Powder Blast is geared towards more than just backcountry skiers and snowboarders. Staples said he wants all members of the backcountry community to attend, including ice climbers, snowmobilers, snowshoers, and anyone else with “a love of powder.”
“We really want it to be a community-building event for everyone who enjoys the backcountry,” Staples said.
Many years ago, before he was involved in the GNFAC, Staples attended a Powder Blast, and he said it was one of the few places he got to meet the backcountry community. He wants people attending this year to experience what he did.
With the first snow of the season already icing the mountaintops, Staples advised caution for skiers and snowboarders seeking their first taste of powder.
“As soon as there’s enough snow to ride, there’s enough snow to slide,” Staples said.
As the snow piles on, GNFAC’s team will be working to update the avalanche forecast, available on their website.
