Alaska Hosts 2012 International Snow Science Workshop
(JUNEAU, Alaska) – Alaska will host the 2012 International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW) at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage, Alaska September 16-21, 2012.
This will be Alaska’s first time hosting ISSW, which has taken place once every two years since 1976. This year’s event welcomes participants from 14 different countries.
“We are privileged to host the conference in Alaska,” said Matt Murphy, Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) Avalanche Forecaster. “All the latest scientific research will be presented to avalanche professionals from around the world, and Alaska will be able to showcase some of our avalanche challenges to this audience.”
ISSW provides the avalanche industry a forum to discuss theories, explore innovative concepts, and maintain the state-of-the-art practice in the field of avalanche work. The conference is designed to bring together such practitioners as ski patrollers, mountain guides, transportation avalanche forecasters, engineers and scientists who teach and research snow science.
The workshop also offers an opportunity for local mountain user groups to participate in a higher level learning environment. Following its motto of “The Merging of Theory and Practice,” ISSW is designed to promote the exchange of ideas and introduce the latest avalanche forecasting tools and winter safety products. Additional information may be found online at www.issw2012.com.
Matt Murphy is the DOT&PF Avalanche Forecaster with the Seward Highway Avalanche Program, and is among the principle organizers of the event. For further information, please contact Mr. Murphy at the DOT&PF Seward Highway Avalanche Program: 907-783-2772 (Office), 907-529-0268 (Cell) or email matt.murphy@alaska.gov.
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 255 airports, 11 ferries serving 35 communities, 5,619 miles of highway and 720 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to “Get Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”
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