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
Idaho Gives 2026
May 10, 2026
Idaho Gives 2026 – we are a part of this effort! Help us become a Type 1 Avalanche center and bring you 7 day a week avalanche forecasting. May 10th – May 14th. Thank you for your donations.
The “Friends” is a non-profit organization, with 501(c)(3) status, 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 Payette Avalanche Center in the West Central Mountains of Idaho.
The “Friends” believe 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 P.A.C. to continue to grow and provide individuals the tools and information necessary for safe backcountry recreation.
If you would like to get more involved email us to find out how, we need volunteer board members, and folks to help us out with our outreach, classes and fundraising.
This year will be a challenge. The Forest Service is experiencing dramatic changes. Its past years’ support for the Payette Avalanche Center is not assured. That places an even bigger burden on the Friends to keep the good work going. If you care about keeping safe, keeping your friends safe, while winter recreating, please consider a contribution to FPAC.
Who 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.