Know the Snow Fund (KTSF), a local nonprofit dedicated to avalanche awareness and education, announced its 10-year anniversary of service. The nonprofit was created in 2014, a year after two Durango families lost loved ones to avalanches. To honor their memory and the memory of all locals lost in the mountains, the scholarship fund was created for everyone to access avalanche education.
Since its founding, Know the Snow Fund has distributed tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships, facilitating hundreds of hours of vital avalanche safety training. This year alone, KTSF supported scholarships for nearly 100 individuals after a record applicant turnout. Through a donation from Backcountry Access, KTSF also acquired handheld radios for every scholarship recipient and provided radio training to further enhance backcountry safety.
Scholarships have gone toward recreational level one and two courses, rescue courses, a youth recreational level one offered through Silverton Avalanche School, a custom course for Animas High School students and professional courses.
“We are thankful for the support of our donors, volunteers and partners over the years, as well as the strong sense of community we’ve built around locals seeking and furthering avalanche education,” said KTSF executive director Jim Philpott. “As we reflect on our 10-year journey, it’s incredibly inspiring to hear from past scholarship recipients who have gone on to pursue careers in the outdoor and winter sports industries, or simply become more confident and safer in their backcountry adventures.”
Ray Benton, a 2020 level one scholarship recipient shared, “In receiving the Rec 1 scholarship from KTSF, I was able to begin the path of avalanche education and rescue work that I currently participate in as a career. Our communities are set by two large factors that influence our ability to participate in and love backcountry skiing: we have access to a tremendous amount of excellent terrain and we are surrounded constantly by heightened avalanche danger.”
Other past recipients have gone on to pursue local careers in snow safety as well: Purgatory Ski Patrol Manager Blayne Woods and Colorado Avalance Information Center forecaster Krista Beyer.
The impact of KTSF is a direct result of the generosity of local donors and the tireless commitment of volunteers. The nonprofit’s biggest fundraiser of the year, the Annual KTSF Rando Race, will take place on Sunday at the Purgatory Ski Area beginning at 8 a.m.
This event, allowing locals to ski uphill at Purgatory, is an integral part of sustaining the work of KTSF. The event provides an opportunity for both seasoned athletes and casual costume-wearers alike to come together and support avalanche safety education in a fun environment where prizes are plentiful.
“We invite everyone in the Durango community to join us at the Rando Race on Jan. 26,” said Philpott. “Whether you’re a competitive racer or a first-time participant, your involvement will help ensure that Know the Snow can continue to offer scholarships and education to our community for many years to come.”
As Know the Snow enters its second decade, the nonprofit is committed to expanding its reach and continuing to provide the community with the tools and education needed to enjoy winter activities safely. To learn more about the organization, donate, or sign up for the Rando Race, visit www.knowthesnowfund.org