Built for the winter backcountry
SPART exists to bring people home safe from the winter backcountry. That means the public heading out to the passes every weekend, and it means the rescuers who go after them when a day goes wrong.
When we build something that works, whether it is a trailhead beacon station that reaches a traveler before they enter avalanche terrain, or a briefing process that helps incident command decide whether to send rescuers into it, we publish it so other units can take it, adapt it, and improve on it.
This is the same reason we teach. Our research and our courses come from the same place: rescuers should not have to learn these lessons the hard way, and neither should the public.
Everything here is free to use and free to adapt. If it helps your team, we would like to hear about it.
Winter Response Team toolkit
Looking for the templates printed as kcspart.org/wrt in the ISSW 2026 proceedings? Start here.
Publications
- 2026
Winter Response Team
A rapid-activation Winter Response Team can brief incident command with a GO, DELAY, or NO-GO recommendation before rescuers deploy into avalanche terrain.
- 2026
Decision-making under constraint
When destination and timing are fixed, SAR teams need decision aids that fit constrained missions rather than recreational tour planning alone.
- 2014
Are You Beeping? (2014)
Expanding beacon-check stations into a monitored sensor network — with resort partnerships and remote health telemetry — scaled public avalanche awareness across more backcountry entrances.
- 2012
Are You Beeping? (2012)
Trailhead awareness signs paired with an automatic beacon check station can reach backcountry travelers at the moment they enter avalanche terrain.
Who this is for
These pages are for ski patrollers and SAR unit members looking for tools and evidence they can apply, for unit leaders sourcing training for their people, and for anyone evaluating whether SPART’s courses fit a team that operates in or near avalanche terrain.
If your unit needs SAR-specific avalanche decision training, we can help.
Contact us
To inquire about courses, the Winter Response Team model, or adapting these materials for your unit, please contact us.