Our Mission
The Friends of the Payette Avalanche Center (FPAC) is a non-profit organization formed in 1999. Our mission is to provide a community-based forum to share avalanche information, to operate and maintain beacon basin training facilities in the area, to provide basic avalanche education to all types of winter recreationists, and to be a partner to the PAC in the West Central Mountains of Idaho.
The FPAC believes education leads to awareness, and awareness leads to safe backcountry travel. It is our desire to foster the community and government support that will allow the PAC to continue to grow and provide individuals with the tools and information necessary for safe backcountry recreation.
If you would like to get more involved, email us.
Why Donate?
The FPAC organization depends entirely on the support of volunteers and the generosity of the public to attain its fundraising goals. As federal and state budgets for avalanche centers shrink, groups like the FPAC are stepping up to fund local efforts to provide avalanche advisories and education. We need your help! Your support will enable the PAC to continue providing current avalanche information, offering community education, and purchasing necessary equipment.
What's New
Upcoming Events
AIARE Motorized Rescue and Rec Level 1
March 12, 2026
AIARE Motorized Rescue and Rec Level 1 avalanche classes presented by Stable Mountain. Hosted at Brundage Mountain Resort. Sponsored by Friends of the Payette Avalanche Center. The Rescue course is a one-day stand alone course that is intended to be retaken on a regular basis in order to keep abreast of best practices in rescue techniques and gear. New participants will learn the basics of companion rescue, while returning participants will expand their skill set with advanced topics and realistic scenario practice to help improve their skills. The Level 1 course is a three-day, 24-hour introduction to avalanche hazard management. A short classroom session and two days on snow, let’s ride! Students can expect to develop a good grounding in how to prepare for and carry out a backcountry trip, to understand basic decision making while in the field, and to learn rescue techniques required to find and dig up a buried person if an avalanche was to occur and someone in the party is caught. This course provides an introduction to using these decision making tools to help a group manage risk while traveling in avalanche terrain.
More Details All EventsWho We Are
Staff
Board Members
Dave Bingaman-President
Jim Pace- Vice President
Margeaux Zwang- Treasurer
Heather Thiry- Director of Education/ Board Member
Emily Bettin-Director of Outreach and Communications/Board Member
Mike Fitzgerald- Secretary
Sponsors
None of our work would be possible without support from our business sponsors, agency partners, and family foundations. Head to our sponsors page to see the list of our sponsors.