Powder Betty

01/15/2021

I hadn't heard about this film until a client on a recent avalanche course mentioned it. It is a super well made and real conversation about risk and consequences in the mountains and I would definitely recommend it!

Just watched Solving for Z, A Calculus of Risk from Patagonia Presents and would recommend this super real and thoughtful examination of uncertainty, consequences, and risk acceptance in the mountains. As full time guides and parents who love spending time in the mountains but who have also lost many friends over the years this is a familiar conversation for us. Zehan and TGR have done an awesome job of capturing the complexities of this calculus.

https://youtu.be/QHVSeqzI1vU

01/04/2021

Just wrapped up our first Powder Betty weekend of the season. I think my favorite part of these courses is I never know exactly what we will end up working on. Whatever nature throws at us becomes the canvas to which we add the abilities and goals of the ladies on the course and this drives the teaching objectives. Dynamic, real-world learning at it’s best. This weekend we had a classic NW storm that came in warm (though it spared us the rain) and left cold - the ideal setup for some really nice skiing, as well as honing the requisite skills to access it (hazard assessment, terrain selection/evaluation, efficient uphill travel, etc). Looking forward to seeing what hand mother nature will deal us for the next course on Feb 6-7! There is still space available if you would like to join in on the fun!

12/24/2020

As we come into the holidays at the end of the craziest year of my lifetime I find myself to be so grateful for the mountains, movement and my family. At Northwest Mountain School we have been fortunate to have good work filling a need for avalanche education this winter. I realize I have been neglecting the Powder Betty presence for quite some time but our upcoming early January course, with a couple of awesome gals, has reminded me to let folks know that there are still a couple of spaces available. If you are looking for an excuse to get into the mountains and share some turns, while building your skills, with like minded ladies then maybe this is a good one. Check out our webpage for more info if you are interested(http://www.mountainschool.com/womens_backcountry_ski_camp). Happy Holidays and happy turns!

01/09/2020

We have 1 spot left on Olivia's Powder Betty weekend January 18-19 as well as a spot on her Hokkaido, Japan Ski week February 1-7. http://www.mountainschool.com/content/main/hokkaido-japan-ski-tours

09/23/2019

Hello! We just posted an all-women's Japan date, Feb 1-7, 2020! Should be a nice addition. It will certainly simplify the hot tub scene! http://www.mountainschool.com/content/main/hokkaido-japan-ski-tours

07/16/2019

Powder Betty parent company seeking a qualified office manager - apply within!

Northwest Mountain School owners John Race & Olivia Cussen are AMGA Certified Rock, Alpine, and Ski Mountaineering Guides, as well as IFMGA Licensed Guides.

01/24/2019

11/14/2018

Not too long before we hope to be doing some of this.

02/27/2018

Olivia Race is leading a group to the Otztal region of the Austrian Alps April 9-14 and has room for 2 more. So far we have 2 for this spectacular small group trip! http://www.mountainschool.com/content/main/otztal-ski-tour-austrian-alps

02/20/2017

Nice article written by a past customer of the Northwest Mountain School. http://www.powder.com/stories/the-safe-zone/why-everyone-should-take-an-avy-one-course/?sm_id=organic_fb_social_PWDR_170219_sf56152760%23sf56152760 .97

From backcountry beginners to self-educated veterans, we can all learn from the experts.

02/06/2017

The snow was deep (2.5 ft of new!), the hazard was high, our terrain choices were appropriate, the sauna was hot and the laughter was infectious. Such a fun weekend of skiing with a great group of gals!