Laura’s snow safety work protected both resort skiers and backcountry skiers from avalanches.  At Mt. Hood Meadows, Laura’s job at ski patrol included skiing into avalanche-prone terrain before the skiing public arrives and detonating explosives that trigger avalanches.  By pre-triggering avalanches, it prevents them from being able to roll down on skiers during business hours at the resort.  It keeps in-bounds skiers safe.  She was also a professional “observer” for Northwest Avalanche Center, collecting field data that would be translated into backcountry forecasts.  Both jobs are the kind you don’t want to mess up.  Laura shouldered the weight of that responsibility to keep the public safe and enjoyed her duties.

Learn more about Laura and her work: https://www.rei.com/blog/snowsports/winters-edge-live-like-laura