The mission of the Peter Inglis Avalanche Education Fund (PI Fund) is to create opportunities for avalanche education and backcountry user awareness.
The PI Fund helps fund free avalanche education forums (Telluride Backcountry Chats), backcountry awareness events, scholarship assistance for individual avalanche education courses, avalanche education for kids in the community, Telluride’s backcountry radio program, and other avenues that positively contribute to and influence avalanche education and user awareness in the Telluride region.
Before heading into the backcountry, be sure to check the Colorado Avalanche Information Center’s forecast and learn more about backcountry awareness at NoBlackoutDays.com.
The PI Fund has been set up in memory of Peter Inglis. Peter “PI” Inglis was one of the original founders of the Telluride Mountain Club in 1986, a Telluride Ski Patroller for over 20 years and a longtime San Miguel County Search and Rescue volunteer. Inglis also was a huge supporter of avalanche education in Telluride, and organized forums and taught classes to help keep others safe and aware. PI was tragically killed on 4/1/15 when a cornice collapsed while ski guiding in Alaska’s St. Elias Range.
Avalanche Education Scholarships
The reason the PI Fund set up scholarships to help fund avalanche education is to help increase avalanche awareness and safety in the San Juan Mountains. We believe that you can never have enough knowledge in the backcountry and one of the best ways to stay safe is to keep your education fresh. Are you interested in applying for a scholarship? Learn more here.
Backcountry Awareness Events
The PI Fund organizes various Telluride Backcountry Chats throughout the winter season. These events are free and open to the public. They address avalanche safety topics that we believe will resonate with backcountry skiers and snowboarders. They vary in education level and are the perfect way to keep your head in the game during the winter.
You can find a list of upcoming events and learn more about the Telluride Backcountry Chats here.
Backcountry Radios
The PI Fund purchased several radios that can be checked out by Telluride locals or visitors. Rental radios (and radios for purchase) are available at Jagged Edge Mountain Gear located on the east side of main street in Telluride.
If you already have a backcountry radio, you can learn more about channels, intended use, and protocol here.
Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding Resources
Here is a list of some of our favorite backcountry resources.
• Colorado Avalanche Information Center – Get the Forecast!
• NoBlackoutDays.com – San Juans Backcountry Awareness Repository
• Telluride Backcountry Radio Channels
• Telluride Avalanche School Education Courses
• Silverton Avalanche School Education Courses
The PI Avy Fund and TMtC have partnered with the Silverton Avalanche School and Friends of the San Juans on a backcountry awareness repository to give you the tools and resources you need to help create a safer backcountry community.
Each winter season, the PI Fund uses its financial resources to fund backcountry education, provide scholarships and more. If you are interested in donating to the Peter Inglis Avalanche Education Fund, use this link (donate here) or send a check donation to:
PI Fund
PO Box 2829
Telluride, CO 81435
Your donation to the club is tax deductible via the Telluride Mountain Club’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. No donation is too small!
The PI Fund was created in 2016 to help further avalanche education and awareness in the Telluride region and help backcountry users with avalanche education costs. We welcome all donations. If you are interested in applying for a scholarship to further your learning in the backcountry, visit this page or email PiAvalancheFund@gmail.com for details.
