About Us

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

The Mt Shasta Avalanche Center functions as a partnership between the US Forest Service and a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization known as Friends of the Mt Shasta Avalanche Center. These entities have partnered through a formal agreement to provide a quality product for the public and affected agencies. 

Operational Arm — US Forest Service

The Shasta/McCloud Ranger District on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest houses and runs the avalanche forecasting operations of the avalanche center. It houses three full-time avalanche forecasters and provides infrastructure including office space, computers, internet access, phones, vehicles, fuel, safety equipment, and supervision. The forecasters gather avalanche, snowpack, and weather observations and then use this data to create and issue avalanche forecasts and avalanche warnings. Forecasters also function as climbing rangers on Mt Shasta and conduct routine patrols and search/rescue operations year round.

Fundraising and Support Arm — Nonprofit Organization

The 501(c)(3) not for profit organization known as Friends of the Mt Shasta Avalanche Center is focused on fundraising to support the financial needs of the program. It consists of a volunteer Board of Directors and a paid Executive Director help run programs and operations. Through its fundraising efforts this group provides funding necessary to help cover budget expenses and operations. Fundraising for these expenses is accomplished through the organization of the annual Snow Ball, movie nights, slideshows, the Mt Shasta Ascension backcountry backcountry ski/splitboard race, sponsorships and grants, as well as gathering private donations and conducting a membership drive for user support. Additionally, the Board of Directors works jointly with the Shasta-Trinity National Forest to make decisions regarding the future direction of the avalanche center that are acceptable to both parties.

Advisory Area

The Mount Shasta Avalanche Center covers approximately 900 square miles of Northern California, the southern end of the chain of Cascade volcanoes. The advisory area covers Mount Shasta itself, west of I-5 in the Castle Lake area, the Eddy Mountains and terrain east of Mount Shasta including Ash Creek Butte and the northeast crest extending out towards Medicine Lake.