About Us

The Bridgeport Ranger District on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest houses and runs the avalanche forecasting and education operations of the Bridgeport Avalanche Center (BAC). In 2021, the BAC employed one full time and three-quarter time, seasonal Avalanche Specialists and two OSV snow rangers.  The Forest Service provides infrastructure including office space, computers, internet access, phones, vehicles, fuel, some safety equipment, and is supervised by the OHV program lead.

Avalanche specialists and snow patrollers gather avalanche, snowpack, and weather observation, then post snowpack summaries three  times a week to the Bridgeport Avalanche Center website.  BAC's snowpack summaries are specific to the Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area (BWRA, or "BOO-rah"). Snowpack and avalanche observations from the Virginia Lakes areas are also posted on the BAC website.

The USFS Bridgeport Avalanche Center program receives funding through the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest / Bridgeport Ranger District, and State of California Off Road Vehicle program grants.

Mission Statement

Bridgeport Avalanche Center's mission is to inform and educate the public, USFS employees, and local search-and-rescue personnel about current snowpack and avalanche conditions in the Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area.