About Us
Friends of the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center (Friends of the CNFAIC) is dedicated to supporting and enhancing avalanche awareness and snow safety education in Southcentral Alaska through information, outreach, and partnerships. Formed in 2003 after a tragic avalanche in Turnagain Pass, Friends works to bridge the gap between available U.S. Forest Service funding and the actual expenses of operating the CNFAIC, located in Girdwood.
How Pick.Click.Give. makes a difference
Alaskans who Pick.Click.Give. to Friends of the Chugach Avalanche Center provide direct support to our avalanche forecasting and snow safety education services. Together, we are empowering our recreation community with data about current conditions to Know Before You Go ski, snowboard, or snowmachine in the backcountry. Your generous donations make a difference by helping:
- fund 50% of the centers operating budget, forecaster salaries, and safety equipment;
- ensure professional, daily avalanche advisories are issued all winter for the Chugach National Forest;
- operate and repair our network of seven remote weather stations and webcams located from Hatcher Pass to Seward;
- maintain our website cnfaic.org where safety and weather info is available free to the public year-round;
- award educational scholarships for beginner to advanced avalanche training;
- provide stipends for student interns who bolster the CNFAIC forecasting team; and
- host workshops, talks, and community events where local winter sport enthusiasts are educated and engaged.
