All Hatcher Pass users can rally around this nonprofit’s mission

It’s the one topic that can bring together Hatcher Pass’s enthusiastic snowmachiners, skiers, runners, cyclists and trappers: avalanche safety.

And when it comes to heading out and recreating in the Hatcher Pass area, those users look exclusively to the Valley’s avalanche experts, the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center (HPAC), which keeps tabs on conditions and provides the information on their website.

But what many users may not know is that not only is HPAC a nonprofit, it receives no state or federal funding and, as of late last year, is also not supported by any larger organization, said Allie Barker, one of its founders. Instead, HPAC relies entirely on community support to continue operations and help keep Hatcher Pass users safe.

Barker and co-founder Jed Worker are also the HPAC’s two forecasters, the term used for the experts who research and analyze snow conditions to provide condition reports. Each Friday they publish an avalanche forecast to the HPAC website and social media so users can make an informed decision about where and how to safely recreate in the pass.

“You think about all the people that are going out there, cross-country skiers, skate skiers, snowshoers, snowmachiners — all of them need to be aware of the risks, but I think 30 to 50% might be aware,” said Kate Arnold, a Palmer fitness trainer and outdoor enthusiast who sits on the HPAC board. “All these people could be tapping into that website to get that information and we want it to be as accurate and as timely as possible.”

But predicting avalanche conditions is a moving target, Barker said. A condition report is only truly accurate for about 24 hours after it is made since weather can have a dramatic impact on the snow’s stability.

That means over the 20 weeks of the typical snow season they’d like to consistently issue forecasts more than once a week to have the greatest community impact.

Right now, however, they can only afford to consistently issue one.

And forecasting costs more money than you might think. Bare bones operations run at about $1,000 a week over the season, she said. That covers everything from equipment like snowmachines to forecaster education, to the software and platform required to produce and publish the forecasts and the forecasters’ time, she said. They also host free education activities aimed at helping all users become as informed and empowered as possible.

The organization offers annual support memberships and runs periodic events to help raise the cash needed to stay in operation.

You can learn more about the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center and find tickets for the fundraiser on HPAvalanche.org.

Have an upcoming event you’d like to see featured here? Email details to amybushatz@gmail.com.

Other outdoor events happening in the Valley:

• MatSu Ski for Women (Feb. 9)

Costumes are encouraged for this annual community event which raises money for Alaska Family Services. The 4k Fun Ski is followed by a potluck and raffle.

Where: Government Peak Recreation Area

Fee: Free (but donations accepted)

• Little Susitna Tour on Goldmint Trail (Feb. 15)

The MatSu Ski Club will lead a gentle ski tour up the Little Susitna River.

They plan to ski about four miles on a slight uphill, then return on the same trail.

Meet in the Goldmint parking lot in Hatcher Pass at 1 p.m.

Where: Goldmint parking lot, Hatcher Pass

Fee: Free (plus $5 parking or State Parks parking pass)

• Women’s Fat Bike Clinic and Series (Feb. 19)

Backcountry Bike and Ski will host a clinic and series aimed at educating and empowering women to get out and fat bike.

The program kicks off with a clinic on Wed., Feb. 19 at store in Palmer and include three weekly group rides.

Where: Backcountry Bike and Ski

Fee: $50

Pre-registration required. Contact Backcountry Bike and Ski for more information.