JACKSON, Wyo. — Are you interested in exploring the backcountry but don’t know where to start? It’s also OK to be intimidated by it; having a healthy respect for the Tetons is a life-preserving component to every outdoor adventure.

The Teton County Search and Rescue Foundation can help break those barriers for ease of entry and initiate a lifelong learning process or refresh some of those safety skills that may have expired since last season.

The Foundation is excited to be hosting a series of virtual workshops this month and next to go over the basics of avalanche preparedness. The first workshop will be on Thursday, December 10 from 5:30-7 p.m.

The Foundation already hosted two such workshops in conjunction with the Jackson Hole Babe Force, and both sessions sold out in just minutes.

Each workshop will cover:

• What’s in your winter pack
• Essentials for ski and snowboard touring
• Basic first aid
• Avalanche basics, such as types and statistics
• How to read the avalanche bulletin
• Avalanche training progression

The courses are intended to be an introduction to winter backcountry awareness, or as a refresher for snow-safety skills. They are also an excellent way to begin and progress your avalanche education.

Sessions cost $20 and include a goody bag and discount code to register for future classes.

TCSAR Foundation had been planning field sessions to go along with these virtual workshops, but due to Teton County’s fragile status during Covid-19, the decision was made to postpone any in-person education until further notice.

Head to Backcountry Zero for more information and to register.