Beacon Training in Western Montana
1. Lolo Pass Visitor Center
A Beacon Basin training facility was installed and is operable at Lolo Pass. The Beacon Basin was installed through cooperative efforts of the West Central Montana Avalanche Foundation, private donations, and the U.S. Forest Service. The training opportunity will be available when the Lolo Pass Visitors Center is open. Snowmobilers will have to walk from the parking lot to use the site. You must have a transceiver to use the site.
Winter hours of operation at the Visitor Center are Thursday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Pacific Standard Time. Day and season passes can be purchased at the Visitor Center during hours of operation. Passes can also be purchased at Lolo Hot Springs, Brady's Sportsman's Surplus, Pipestone Mountaineering and The Trail Head. Day passes only can be purchased at the Visitor Center on days it is closed.
Organized groups who want to use the site for an educational or training program need to contact Katie Knotek at the Powell Ranger Station (208) 942-3113 regarding special use permit requirements
2. Snowbowl Ski Area
The Snowbowl beacon park is located at the cutoff to the backcountry towards Point Six, just off the trail to Nutcracker. The control box is set up in the morning and taken down at sweep. If the park is not set up (there is a sign, a stand and a yellow waterproof box), users can check the control box out from the Snow Bowl patrol at the patrol shack at the top of the Lavelle lift. You must purchase a lift ticket or have a ski pass to access this park.
3. Lost Trail Ski Area
New for 2009/2010 is a Beacon Basin training facility at Lost Trail Ski Area on Highway 93 at Lost Trail Pass. The training opportunity is available to anyone who coordinates with the Ski Patrol at Lost Trail. Please send a message to to arrange your Thursday - Sunday. Please note that you must have a transceiver to use the site.
Learn More
Learn more about this unique training facility and equipment (PDF) »
The West Central Montana Avalanche Center is hosted on the Lolo National Forest with support from the Bitterroot and Clearwater National Forests. The advisory content is the sole responsibility of the Forest Service and does not apply to operating ski areas. Avalanche specialists can be contacted by calling 406-329-3752 or by