2018 Avalanche Bursary Program Recipient

Yuri Lortscher is the most recent applicant who the Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club has supported in our Avalanche Bursary Program. Every year $2000 is available to help further avalanche education in the Elk Valley. The program has been existence for the past decade and bursary applicants need to apply in writing to fernietrails@fernie.com for consideration.

Yuri and Ian Stokie, FT&STC President

Here is Yuri’s application, it is his second year applying for the bursary:

I am writing in application for the Avalanche Safety Bursary that is generously provided by your
organization. I was a recipient of this bursary last season and it was a great help in starting down the
path to my Avalanche Operations Level 2 course. With my prerequisites complete, I will be
attending Module 1 of the Level 2 course at the end of October with the hopes of completing the
certification by the end winter 2019.

Growing up in Canmore, I had the opportunity to explore some of the most impressive and
beautiful peaks in the Rockies, as well as completing several self-supported trips through the
Kitimat and Pacific ranges of the Coast Mountains, and the Clemenceau Icefield. My passion for
the snow has led me to a career as a professional ski patroller, much to the dismay of both of my
parents. I have had the pleasure of patrolling at Sunshine Village, Castle Mountain, and Fernie
Alpine Resort, and I plan to continue my commitment to the field and this community for years to
come. This coming winter will be my third consecutive season at FAR.
I continue to seek out the next level of education in the avalanche field, and plan to use this award
to finance part of the large expense that is the Avalanche Operations Level 2 course. This season I
am registered for the Module 1 course at the end of October, and am waitlisted for the other two
modules later in the season. Each module ranges in cost from approximately $1,100 to $2,200,
plus travel and accommodation expenses.
2
The Elk Valley has become home for me over the last four years, and I hope to establish a career
in the avalanche industry so that I can continue to pursue this mountain lifestyle. As a skilled and
professional avalanche worker, I offer guidance and education to public, friends, and family on a
daily basis. This course would help me better contribute to the backcountry community in the
valley, and further my career as a professional ski patroller. With an established home in the Elko
I feel it is now time for me to start giving back to the community in meaningful ways, and this
bursary would be a significant contribution to both my personal and professional growth.
Thank you very much for your consideration
Sincerely,
Yuri Lortscher

See more details on the bursary program here.