Nickolay Dodov
Nickolay Dodov Foundation avalanche Safety Education
In the last nine years NICKOLAY DODOV FOUNDATION has reached out with FREE Avalanche Education presenting the Avalanche Awareness Program "Know Before You Go" and teaching Youth Avalanche Interactive Workshops to more than 13000 ski and snowboard athletes, middle, high school and university students, coaches, teachers, parents and all age mountain enthusiasts.
The Founders of the NDF Natalia and Alex Dodov volunteer their time to schedule and travel bringing the necessary equipment to organize and be in support of every event. The Foundation has ten professional avalanche educators on the team.
The NDF presentations are designed to engage young athletes and students with quizzes, interactive tests and outdoor avalanche companion rescue practices.
In 2018 NDF has developed a five-hour interactive avalanche educational workshop for youth to fill out the gap between the KBYG program and a Level 1 avalanche class. In the last years the workshop has been very successful teaching many youths! "The risks skiing and riding out-of-bounds are much greater then inside the ropes. Youth learn ways to enjoy their turns outside the resort boundaries and reduce their chances of being caught in avalanche. The course is very interactive, both in the classroom and on the hill. Youth leave with a better understanding how to manage their risk off-piste."
The workshop includes 3 hours in classroom and 2 hours beacon search practice on the snow
"The Nickolay Dodov Foundation has offered their superb Avalanche Educational Youth Workshop to our school for the Past 2 years. I run a program for a Ski Academy that is surrounded by terrain that see's frequent Avalanche activity. To be able to have the Dodov foundation come in and work with our team is an invaluable experience for all. Their modest approach to their non-profit program shows they really care about educating people and not about making a buck. My experience with them has been excellent and I would fully recommend using their services to continue to educate thrill seekers about the risk involved while traveling in the backcountry."
Sean Carey
Director of Freeride
Sugar Bowl Ski Team & Academy
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sponsorship with Alpine County Tobacco Prevention program
A sponsorship between the Nickolay Dodov Foundation and Alpine County Tobacco Prevention Program enables tobacco prevention education to reach youth at the same time they are learning how to travel safe in avalanche terrain. Avalanche education and tobacco education have a shared goal to arm youth with knowledge they need to make their own decisions. Tobacco companies target youth as potential lifelong customers, enticing them with flavors that mask the taste of tobacco. Together, our programs give youth an opportunity to exercise their right to make informed decisions.
Mountains are alive and help us thrive. Tobacco just doesn’t jive. A tobacco free lifestyle is our ticket to playing in the mountains. Our bodies take us great places, we must care about what we are putting into it. We don’t smoke tobacco, and neither should you.
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NDF needs YOUR help! We would love to publicly announce the NDF is applying for the CA OHV 2023 Grant Cycle.
03/06/23
Having a substantial grant fund such as that offered from the CA State Parks OHV Division, would allow the NDF to take on a very specific project summarized below:
The NDF OHV project would provide a 3-day avalanche safety course to snowmobilers from the Highway 4 & 108 corridors. The NDF will reach out to the Alpine County Sheriff's department, firefighters, and search & rescue teams. Since many of the local rangers have been to NDF's standard avalanche education workshop, the next step for them would be the 3-day course where they can further learn how to collect avalanche forecast data from the backcountry, while traveling safely. This will add significant benefit to the safety of all motorized riders of Highways 4 & 108.
The three-day motorized avalanche safety course is the the next step after participants have attended the NDF's one-day motorized avalanche safety interactive workshop. Learning will occur in the classroom & on the snow. The motorized 3-day course is an interactive program covering the fundamentals of avalanche hazards including awareness & snow stability assessments. Each course has the potential to accommodate 12 participants. The 3-day, 24-hour course will consist of 40% classroom time and 60% hands-on, field time.
Through the course, participants will learn: to apply the current avalanche bulletin in tour-planning & throughout the travel day on the snow; to recognize avalanche terrain & understand safe motorized travel protocols; to interpret snow conditions and weather on different aspects & elevations in relation to slope stability; to apply simple decision-making tools in avalanche terrain; to conduct a companion rescue/recovery; and to understand basic group dynamics & management. Once the participant has completed the three-day course, he/she will know how to apply the above skills in the backcountry in order to travel with confidence in the ability to make informed decisions.
NOW, we need your help! You can review our application & submit comments about your experience with the NDF & our specific OHV project between the dates of March 7 & May 1
You can access the OHV division page here!
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SUMMARY OF NDF EVENTS FOR WINTER SEASON 2021/2022
Nickolay Dodov Foundation was able to organize and present 30 events!!!
The most events we have had for one Winter all over the Globe!
24 virtual events, 5 one on one workshops and Nick Dodov Slopestyle!
NDF reached out to ski and snowboard athletes, middle, high school and university students, coaches, teachers, parents and all age winter sports enthusiasts from climbers, backcountry skiers/splitboarders, snowmobilers/ snowbikres and snowshoers in California, Oregon, Washington States, Bulgaria, Australia and Argentina!
Once again, we had to work with small budget and no grants.
Big Thank you to all our donors and partners! Without their help we wouldn't be able to offer our FREE Avalanche Safety Educational Programs.
Big Thank you to the NDF Avalanche Educators for their dedication and professionalism!
1 - December 2nd 6-7.30pm FREE Virtual Avalanche Safety Presentation to Youth and all Ages Winter Sports Enthusiasts! Everyone is invited! Presented by Casey Glaubman, NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director of Friends of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Lead guide for Shasta Mountain Guides. Zoom link https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84518570803
2 - December 13th 11.45-1.00pm FREE Virtual Avalanche Safety Presentation to the students of Elevated Digital Learning Academy at Lake Tahoe Unified School District Presented by Jason Bilek, NDF Avalanche Educator, Professional Observer for Sierra Avalanche Center, Heli snowboard guide
3 - December 18th 5.00-6.30pm FREE IN PERSON Avalanche Safety Presentation in the Turtle Rock Community Center Markleeville for the Alpine Trail Association and Alpine Watershed Group OPEN TO PUBLIC! Presented by Jason Bilek, NDF Avalanche Educator, Professional Observer for Sierra Avalanche Center, Heli snowboard guide
4 - December 22nd FREE IN PERSON Motorized Avalanche Safety Workshop 10.00-12.00pm indoor class session, 1.00-3.00 pm outdoor beacon search practice and companion rescue drills at the Bear Valley Sheriff Station for the Alpine Sheriff Department, Firefighters, Search and Rescue Teams and Park Rangers presented by Tasha Thomas, NDF Motorized Avalanche Educator, Sierra Avalanche Center Board of Directors
- December 27th FREE IN PERSON Avalanche Safety Presentation at Bear valley resort to the ski/snowboard teams, coaches and parents presented by the NDF Avalanche Educator Paul Henrikson
TRANSFORMED TO VIRTUAL EVENT DUE TO COVID RESTRICTIONS OF NOT allowing IN-PERSON EVENTS
- December 29th FREE Youth Avalanche Safety Workshop at Palisades to the ski/snowboard teams and coaches presented by Jason Bilek, NDF Avalanche Educator, Observer for Sierra Avalanche Center, Heli snowboard guide POSPONE FOR LATER IN WINTER DUE TO COVID RESTRICTONS OF NO IN-PERSON EVENTS
5 - January 5th FREE IN PERSON Avalanche Safety Presentation to the Mt. Shasta High School Alpine Race Team. Presented by Casey Glaubman, NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director of Friends of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Lead guide for Shasta Mountain Guides
- January 8th FREE Virtual Avalanche Safety Presentation at Palisades ski resort to the ski/snowboard teams, coaches and parents presented by Jason Bilek, NDF Avalanche Educator, Observer for Sierra Avalanche Center, Heli snowboard guide
TRANSFORMED TO VIRTUAL EVENT DUE TO COVID RESTRICTIONS OF NOT Allowing IN-PERSON EVENTS
- January 9th FREE IN PERSON Youth Avalanche Safety Workshop at Palisades ski resort to the ski/snowboard teams and coaches presented by the NDF Avalanche Educator Michael McCarthy POSPONE FOR LATER IN WINTER DUE TO COVID RESTRICTONS OF NO IN-PERSON EVENTS
6 - January 12th FREE Virtual Avalanche Safety Presentation to the students at Truckee Forest Charter School. Presented by Casey Glaubman, NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director of Friends of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Lead guide for Shasta Mountain Guides
7 - January 13th FREE Virtual Avalanche Safety Presentation for the Cooper Spur Alpine Racing team, coaches and parents. Presented by Casey Glaubman, NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director of Friends of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Lead guide for Shasta Mountain Guides
8 - January 15th FREE Virtual Avalanche Safety Presentation for the Palisades ski/snowboard teams, coaches and parents presented by Jason Bilek, NDF Avalanche Educator, Observer for Sierra Avalanche Center, Heli snowboard guide
9 - January 16th FREE Virtual Avalanche Safety Presentation for the Bear Valley ski/snowboard teams, coaches and parents. Presented by Casey Glaubman, NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director of Friends of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Lead guide for Shasta Mountain Guides
10 - January 19th FREE Virtual Avalanche Safety Presentation for the South Bay Ski Club Presented by Casey Glaubman, NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director of Friends of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Lead guide for Shasta Mountain Guides OPEN TO PUBLIC
11 - January 20th 6pm (PST) FREE Virtual Avalanche Safety Event Presented by the NDF Special Advisers DON'T MISS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM THE PROGRAM "KNOW BEFRE YOU GO" LEAD BY ITS FOUNDER CRAIG GORDON! Learn about Avalanche Safety from the Team of the NDF Special Advisers Karl Birkeland, Director Forest Service National Avalanche Center Craig Gordon, Utah Avalanche Center Forecaster, Founder of the Know Before You Go Program Nick Meyers, Director of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center with HOST - Casey Glaubman, NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director of Friends of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Lead guide for Shasta Mountain Guides
Zoom link https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84347043250
12 - January 27th 6pm (PST) FREE Virtual Avalanche Safety Workshop AVALANCHE ESSENTIALS January 27 at 6pm! DON'T MISS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO LEAR ABOUT AVALANCHE SAFETY FROM SOME OF THE MOST RESPECTED NAMES IN THE AVALANCHE EDUCATIONAL FIELD! Karl Birkeland, NDF Avalanche Adviser, Director Forest Service National Avalanche Center Nick Meyers, NDF Avalanche Adviser, Director of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center Dave Zinn, Forecaster for Gallatin National Avalanche Center. Casey Glaubman, NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director of Friends of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
Zoom link https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86550711468
13 - February 1st 6pm FREE Virtual Avalanche Safety Presentation for the Inskiers Ski Club Presented by Casey Glaubman, NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director of Friends of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Lead Guide for Shasta Mountain Guides
14 - February 2nd 6pm FREE Virtual Avalanche Safety Presentation for the Kirkwood the ski/snowboard teams, coaches and parents presented by Jason Bilek, NDF Avalanche Educator, Observer for Sierra Avalanche Center, Heli snowboard guide OPEN TO PUBLIC https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84957527713?pwd=c0x5T0k3aGhrUjlHbjZlOXlMOStOUT09
15 - February 8th 8pm FREE Virtual Avalanche Safety to the Oakland Ski Club and Alpineers Ski Club Presented by Casey Glaubman, NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director of Friends of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Lead Guide for Shasta Mountain Guides OPEN TO PUBLIC https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83344529112
16 - February 9th 9am (PST), 19.00 Bulgarian time FREE Virtual International Avalanche Safety Presentation for the Bulgarian Free Riders and Ski and Snowboard Mountaineers, organized by Nickolay Dodov Foundation, presented by Casey Glaubman, NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director of Friends of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Lead guide for Shasta Mountain Guides. With Special Guests Momchil Panayotov, University of Forestry Associate Professor, Bulgarian Extreme and Freestyle Skiing Association.
Stanimira Karadocheva, NDF International Organizer, Wild-berries Founder and Simona Kamberova, Freeride team BG.
17 - February 9th 7pm FREE Virtual Avalanche Safety Presentation for the Husky Winter Sports Club at the University of Washinton presented by Casey Glaubman, NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director of Friends of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Lead Guide for Shasta Mountain Guides OPEN TO PUBLIC https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85836839573
18 - February 16th 10am FREE Virtual Avalanche Safety Presentation to the students of Sebastopol High School presented by Casey Glaubman, NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director of Friends of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Lead Guide for Shasta Mountain Guides
19 - February 17th, 1.00-1.55pm FREE Virtual Avalanche Safety Presentation to the South Tahoe Middle School students
20 - February 17th, 6pm Free Avalanche Safety Presentation to the Sacramento State Ski and Snowboard Team presented by Casey Glaubman, NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director of Friends of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Lead Guide for Shasta Mountain Guides
21 - February 24th 6pm FREE Virtual Motorized Avalanche Safety Clinic to the Snowmobile and Snowbike Riders of Hwy 108 Stanislaus National Forest
OPEN TO PUBLIC! Zoom link https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81584697072
We would love to share with our motorized community that we are applying for 2022 California OHV Grant! We truly believe that with the funds received from this grant, we could reach even more motorized users in the Sierra Nevada and further improve the safety and impact involved with ohv-motorized winter travel in the mountains!
22 - February 27th at 2.30pm Fourth Annual Beacon Search Practice to OUR Bear Valley Ski and Snowboard
23 - March 3th, 7pm FREE Avalanche Safety Presentation to the Los Padres Ski Club OPEN TO PUBLIC!
24 - March 12th, 12.30-1.30, SECOND ETITION Fourth Annual Beacon Search Practice to OUR Bear Valley Ski and Snowboard Teams
25 - MARCH 26th 7th ANNUAL NICKOLAY DODOV SLOPESTYLE at Bear Valley Mountain Resort
26 - April 5th FREE Annual Avalanche Safety Presentation in Bansko Bulgaria
-April 10th Second Annual Free Youth Avalanche Safety Workshop to Palisades Ski/Snowboard teams, 9.00-12pm Classroom Session at Basecamp Room 1.00-3.00pm Beacon Search Practice on the Snow EVENT POSTPONED FOR FALL
27 - April 21st 6.30pm FREE Virtual Avalanche Safety Presentation to the 49er Ski Club presented by Casey Glaubman, NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director of Friends of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Lead Guide for Shasta Mountain Guides
28 - July 1st FREE Beacon Search Practice for Blaise Boot Camp at Mt Hood presented by Nick Meyers, NDF Special Adviser and Avalanche Educator, Leading Climbing Ranger and Director of Mt Shasta Avalanche Center
29 - August 19th FREE Virtual Avalanche Safety Presentation for Australia! To the athletes, coaches and parents of Turn and Burn Snowboard Camp and Thredbo Mountain Academy presented by Casey Glaubman, NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director of Friends of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Lead Guide for Shasta Mountain Guides
30 - October 2nd FREE Virtual Avalanche Safety Presentation for the athletes, coaches and parents of Club Andino Esquel presented by Casey Glaubman, NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director of Friends of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Lead Guide for Shasta Mountain Guides
SUMMARY OF NDF FREE AVALANCHE safety EDUCATIOn for 2020/2021
SUMMARY OF NICKOLAY DODOV FOUNDATION FREE AVALANCHE EDUCATIONAL EVENTS FOR WINTER SEASON 2020/2021
by Natalia and Alex Dodov
Despite the uncertain times during Covid 19 Pandemic Nickolay Dodov foundation was able to present 21 Free Avalanche Safety Educational Presentations: 17 virtual events and 4 one on one workshops. NDF reached out to ski and snowboard athletes, middle, high school and university students, coaches, teachers, parents and all age mountain enthusiasts from climbers, backcountry skiers/splitboarders , snowmobilers/ snowbikres and snowshoers.
As Founders of NDF we volunteered our time to help the Foundation. We organized, scheduled and were present at most of the events.
We skied human powered in the backcountry 100+ days.
Thank you to our dedicated donors! We were able to provide all the free classes with an exceedingly small budget without a major grants or sponsors.
We are very thankful to our eleven avalanche educators (7 in the US and 4 International) for their passion and professionalism.
NDF EVENT LIST FOR WINTER 2020/2021
December 15th - FREE Virtual KBYG Avalanche Safety Presentation to the students of Truckee Forest Charter School presented by Jason Bilek - NDF Avalanche Educator, Heli- Snowboard guide, Sierra Avalanche Center Forecaster. This is NDF Second Annual Avalanche Educational Event at Truckee Forest Charter School
December 17th - FREE Virtual KBYG Avalanche Safety Presentation to the students of Elevated Digital Learning Academy presented by Educator Jason Bilek - NDF Avalanche Educator, Heli- Snowboard guide, Sierra Avalanche Center Forecaster
December 28th - FREE Virtual KBYG Avalanche Safety Presentation to PUBLIC! The event will be presented by Casey Glaubman - NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director Friends of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Lead Guide for Shasta Mountain Guides. The program is designed for youth, all ages mountain enthusiasts are invited! No registration need, Go to Zoom link https://zoom.us/j/98399401732
January 9th -6pm-7.30pm FREE Virtual KBYG Avalanche Safety Presentation to the Bear Valley Ski/Snowboard teams, coaches and parents presented by Jason Bilek -NDF Avalanche Educator, Heli- Snowboard guide, Sierra Avalanche Center Forecaster. This is NDF Seventh Annual Avalanche Educational Event to Bear Valley teams!
January 15th, 6pm -7.30 pm(PST) - FREE Virtual KBYG Avalanche Safety Presentation to PUBLIC! The event will be presented by Craig Gordon, NDF Special Adviser, Utah Avalanche Center Forecaster, Founder of the Know Before You Go Program!
Zoom Webinar Link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84953957060
January 22nd, 6pm-7.30pm (PST) - Free Virtual Avalanche Safety Workshop with Karl Birkeland - NDF Special Adviser, Director Forest Service National Avalanche Center, Craig Gordon - NDF Special Adviser, Utah Avalanche Center Forecaster, Founder of the Know Before You Go Program, Nick Meyers - Director of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Brandon Schwartz - Sierra Avalanche Center Lead Forecaster and Simon Trautman - Northwest Avalanche Center Forecaster, National Avalanche Specialist
Zoom Webinar link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86325042516
January 27th, 4pm-5.30 pm - Free Virtual Avalanche Awareness Clinic to the SAC State Ski and Snowboard Team and Club on Wednesday, January 27th 4-5.30 pm presented by Casey Glaubman, NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director of the Friends of the Mt Shasta Avalanche Center and Lead Guide for Shasta Mountain Guides! The event is OPEN to PUBLIC Here is the Zoom link ZOOM Link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/81200003332 EVENT RESCEDULED due to storm and internet down; NEW DATE February 16th 4pm-5.30pm. This is Second Annual Avalanche educational event to SAC Students.
February 13th 6pm-7.30pm FREE Virtual KBYG Avalanche Safety Presentation to the Heavenly Ski/Snowboard teams, coaches and parents presented by Jason Bilek -NDF Avalanche Educator, Heli- Snowboard guide, Sierra Avalanche Center Forecaster . This is NDF Third Annual Avalanche Educational Event to the Heavenly teams!
February 15th NICKOLAY DODOV BIRTHDAY!!! 6pm-7.30 FREE Virtual KBYG Avalanche Safety Presentation to the Squaw Valley Ski/Snowboard teams, coaches and parents presented by Casey Glaubman -NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director of the Friends of the Mt Shasta Avalanche Center and Lead Guide for Shasta Mountain Guides! . This is NDF Fifth Annual Avalanche Educational Event to the Squaw Valley teams!
February 19th 8.45-9.45am FREE Virtual KBYG Avalanche Safety Presentation to the students of Avery Middle School presented by Casey Glaubman - NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director Friends of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Lead Guide for Shasta Mountain Guides. This is NDF Seventh Annual Avalanche Event to Avery students!
March 4th, 9am(PST), 19:00 Bulgarian time FREE Virtual INTERNATIONAL Avalanche Safety Event, KBYG Special Edition for the Snow Mountains enthusiasts from the Balkan Peninsula Countries; Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia, Rumania, Greece and Turkey organized by Nickolay Dodov Foundation, presented by Casey Glaubman, NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director of Friends of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Lead guide for Shasta Mountain Guides. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE THE MOUNTAIN ENTUSIASTS FROM OUR HOME CONTRY BULGARIA and neighbor countries!
March 5th, 7pm (PST) FREE Virtual Motorized Avalanche Awareness Clinic organized by Nickolay Dodov Foundation with Duncan Lee, NDF Avalanche Educator, Professional Backcountry Snowmobiler, Sierra Avalanche Center Adviser. Snowmobiles apply 2.5 to 5 times more stress on the snowpack than a skier or rider. The stress bulb of the snowmobile reaches deeper into the snowpack. Additionally, snowmobilers can cover much more ground on a given day on our snowmobiles effectively applying that stress to more areas. With the increased power and capabilities of a snowmobiles and snow bikes the motorized travelers are able to climb higher and further than human powered backcountry travelers. This puts motorized travelers at a greater risk of entering avalanche terrain unaware of their surroundings and the potential dangers in the backcountry. Avalanche education is essential for motorized backcountry travel! DON’T MISS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT MOTORIZED AVALANCHE SAFETY!
March 6th and March 7th NDF First for the season IN PERSON "Know Before You Go" Presentation and Beacon Search Practice for the Ski/Snowboard teams in Bansko, Bulgaria with the NDF International Avalanche Educators Georgi Georgiev and Milena Padalska
March 10th, 7pm (PST) FREE Virtual Motorized Avalanche Awareness Clinic organized by Nickolay Dodov Foundation with Duncan Lee, NDF Avalanche Educator, Professional Backcountry Snowmobiler, Sierra Avalanche Center Adviser. Snowmobiles apply 2.5 to 5 times more stress on the snowpack than a skier or rider. The stress bulb of the snowmobile reaches deeper into the snowpack. Additionally, snowmobilers can cover much more ground on a given day on our snowmobiles effectively applying that stress to more areas. With the increased power and capabilities of a snowmobiles and snow bikes the motorized travelers are able to climb higher and further than human powered backcountry travelers. This puts motorized travelers at a greater risk of entering avalanche terrain unaware of their surroundings and the potential dangers in the backcountry. Avalanche education is essential for motorized backcountry travel! DON’T MISS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT MOTORIZED AVALANCHE SAFETY!
Zoom link https://zoom.us/j/93625798890
March 27th, 6pm - FREE Virtual Avalanche safety event for YOUTH! Know Before You Go Avalanche Awareness Presentation to the Sierra at Tahoe, Mt Rose, Kirkwood and Sugar Bowl Academy Ski/Snowboard teams presented by Casey Glaubman, NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director of Friends of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Lead guide for Shasta Mountain Guides, THE EVENT IS OPEN TO PUBLIC!
Zoom link https://zoom.us/j/96191825926
March 31st, 9am (PST) - FREE Virtual Avalanche Safety Event 19:00-20:30 Bulgarian time for the KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Avalanche Awareness Presentation to the Bulgarian Free Riders and Ski and Snowboard Mountaineers, organized by Nickolay Dodov Foundation, presented by Casey Glaubman, NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director of Friends of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Lead guide for Shasta Mountain Guides.
With Cohosts Stanimira Karadocheva, NDF International Organizer, Wild-berries Founder and Simona Kamberova, Freeride team BG.
With Special Guest Momchil Panayotov, University of Forestry Associate Professor, Bulgarian Extreme and Freestyle Skiing Association.
Zoom link https://zoom.us/j/92584675944
April 4th, 12.30- 2.30pm - Third Annual Beacon Search Practice for the Bear Valley Ski/Snowboard teams with NDF Avalanche Educator Paul Henrickson
April 7th - 8.50- 10.20am - Know Before You Go Presentation to the students of Orchard View Charter School in Sebastopol presented by Casey Glaubman, NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director of Friends of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Lead guide for Shasta Mountain Guides.
April 8th - 12pm - Second Annual Know Before You Go Presentation to the students of George Whittell High High School presented by Jason Bilek, NDF Avalanche Educator, Heli- Snowboard guide, Professional Observer for Sierra Ranch center.
April 10th - 12pm Bulgarian Time - Second Avalanche Safety Workshop in Bansko, Bulgaria with the NDF International Avalanche Educators Georgy Georgiev and Milena Padalska! One day workshop with classroom session and beacon search practice on the snow!
May 1st - Motorized Avalanche Workshop for the HCO Sled Fest at Bear Valley Resort 10.30am Beacon Search Practice with Tasha Thomas, Motorized Avalanche Educator, Sierra Avalanche Center Board of Directors
6.30pm Motorized Avalanche Safety Presentation presented by Duncan Lee, NDF Avalanche Educator, Professional Backcountry Snowmobiler, Sierra Avalanche Center Adviser
May 4th - 5pm - Free Virtual Youth Avalanche safety event to the athletes of Bend Endurance Academy presented by Casey Glaubman, NDF Avalanche Educator, Executive Director of Friends of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Lead guide for Shasta Mountain Guides. THE EVENT IS OPEN TO PUBLIC!
Zoom link; https://zoom.us/j/97016824737
SUMMARY OF NDF FREE AVALANCHE safety EDUCATIOn for 2019/2020
SUMMARY OF NICKOLAY DODOV FOUNDATION FREE AVALANCHE EDUCATIONAL TOUR FOR WINTER SEASON 2019/2020
by Natalia and Alex Dodov
"The NDF Avalanche Safety Educational Tour was cut short due to CORONA Virus while the Foundation was having the busiest season traveling with FREE Avalanche Education to youth, presenting EIGHTEEN Free Avalanche Educational events to more than 2500 ski and snowboard athletes, middle, high school and university students, coaches, teachers, parents and all age mountain enthusiasts.
When the Pandemic started NDF had to cancel 5 KBYG presentation, 2 NDF avalanche workshops, 2 Level 1 courses, 2 international workshops and the 7th Annual Nickolay Dodov slopestyle event.
As Founders of NDF we volunteer our time to help the Foundation. We scheduled, traveled from Santa Cruz to Mammoth and China Lake from Tahoe to Quincy, Taylorsville and Mt Shasta from Bear Valley to Sacramento bringing the necessary equipment to organize and be in support of every event.
Thank you to our dedicated donors! We were able to provide all the free classes with an exceedingly small budget without a major grants or sponsors.
We are very thankful to our eleven avalanche educators (7 in the US and 4 International) for their passion and professionalism.
Besides being busy with the Foundation we had 100+ ski days in the backcountry. During the Pandemic we were out every day to brake trails and oversee the safety in our backyard.
Have a very nice Summer! Climb a rock, bike a trail, surf a wave, ride some white waters… Admire the wild flowers...Keep your screws loose! We already got busy with our Summer jobs…Looking forward to see you in the Fall!"
List of the events and the places NDF visited in Winter 2019/2020
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October 26th - Avalanche Safety Presentation in Bear Valley at the BVAC
December 7th - Second Annual Five hour Interactive Avalanche Workshop in Santa Cruz
December 10th - Second Annual KBYG Avalanche Safety Presentation at Mammoth High School
December 11th - Avalanche Safety Presentation at Naval Base China Lake
December 29th - Third Annual Avalanche Safety Presentation to the Squaw Valley ski/snowboard teams
December 29th - Second Annual Five hour Interactive Avalanche Workshop at Sugar Bowl Ski Academy
December 30th - Five hour Interactive Avalanche Workshop for the Squaw Valley ski/snowboard teams
January 18th - Second Annual KBYG Avalanche Safety Presentation for the Heavenly ski/snowboard teams
January 30th - Avalanche Awareness Clinic to Sacramento State ski/snowboard team and students
February 8th - Seventh Annual KBYG Avalanche Safety Presentation for the Bear Valley Ski/snowboard teams
February 15th - (Nick's Birthday) Fifth Annual Avalanche Safety Presentation for Kirkwood ski team
February 21st - KBYG Avalanche Safety Presentation to the students of Plumas County Charter school in Quincy
February 21st - KBYG Avalanche Safety Presentation to the students of Indian Valley Academy in Taylorsville
February 22nd - KBYG Avalanche Safety Presentation at LOGE Mt Shasta
March 2nd - Sixth Annual KBYG Avalanche Safety Presentation to the students of Avery Middle School
March 5th - KBYG Avalanche Safety Presentation at Truckee Philosophy
March 6th - Sixth Annual Avalanche Educational Event with two avalanche safety presentations/workshops to the students of South Tahoe High School
March 8th - Second Annual Beacon Search Practice for Bear Valley ski/snowboard teams
SUMMARY OF NDF FREE AVALANCHE safety EDUCATIOn for 2018/2019
SUMMARY OF NDF FREE AVALANCHE SAFETY EVENTS FOR WINTER 2018/2019 -
NDF PRESENTED 12 FREE KBYG ALANCHE AWARENESS PRESENTATIONS AND 7 FREE AVALANCHE WORKSHOPS TO MORE THAN 2000 ATHLETES AND STUDENTS AND ORGANIZED THE 6TH ANNUAL NICKOLAY DODOV SLOPESTYLE
January 24th - 2 KBYG Avalanche Awareness Presentations to the students of Truckee Forest Charter School. February 2019 - February 24th -KBYG Avalanche Awareness Presentation to Yosemite Ski team and public March 2019- March 15th - 2 KBYG presentations to 7th and 8th grate students at Sonora Elementary School March 16th and 17th Avalanche workshop in Borovets, Bulgaria March 23th - Avalanche Workshop with inbound, soft boundary safety lecture and beacon search practice session to the Bear Valley Ski Teams March 28th - 2 KBYG presentations to the students of South Tahoe High School April 2019 - April 11th - 3 KBYG Presentations to the students and ski team of George Whittell High School April 20th - 6th Annual Nickolay Dodov Slopestyle in Bear Valley April 27th - Motorizes Avalanche Workshop for the Sled fest in Bear valley May 2019 - May 4th - 5 hour Interactive Avalanche Educational Workshop for youth at Heavenly for Heavenly, South Tahoe High School and George Whittell High School ski and snowboard athletes! May 5th - 5 hour Interactive Avalanche Educational Workshop for youth to Sugar Bowl Academy Free Ride and Race Team Athletes
ARTICLES and feedback ABOUT THE NDF WORK
Articles about the NDF Avalanche Safety Awareness Work with Youth
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"Nickolay Dodov Foundation has busy year despite coronavirus"
Calaveras Enterprise
- By Noah Berner
- May 29, 2020
"The Dodov Foundation… A ‘Beacon’ Of Positivity"
Local Freshies
https://localfreshies.com/dodov-foundation-avalanche-safety-solutions/
"Nickolay Dodov Foundation raises avalanche education for youth in Bear Valley"
Calaveras Enterprise
http://www.calaverasenterprise.com/news/article_119db4c2-536d-11ea-9748-13c3daca0a9c.html
"Nickolay Dodov Foundation reaches out with free avalanche education to youth"
Calaveras Enterprise
On November 2nd NDF was invited to be one of the speakers at the 6th Annual California Avalanche Workshop
"Founded by Natalia and Alex Dodov, and named after their son who died in an avalanche in Alaska, the Nickolay Dodov Foundation is a leading provider of avalanche awareness training to youth in the Sierra"- David Reichel the Founder of CAW
https://localfreshies.com/2019-california-avalanche-workshop-recap/
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THANK YOU NOTES FROM COACHES AND TEACHERS TO NDF
Natalia, I just wanted to reach out and tell you how grateful I am for people like you and Alex! Your enthusiasm and dedication to the education of our youngsters is unparalleled! You're literally the nicest people ever. I thought Michael ran an excellent workshop that really kept kids engaged and willing to learn. I've been a part of many clinics and this was by far the best interaction within the class I've seen. I really look forward to working with your foundation in the future and you can count on returning to Sugar Bowl Academy in the Fall/Winter to further our relationship and the kids educational opportunities with avalanche education! I can't thank you enough Natalia and Alex !
Sean Carey, Director of Freeride Sugar Bowl Ski Team & Academy ------------------------------
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You are making an incredible impact for our Snow sports world! Thank you so much! Nick is there with you every step of the way!
Daron Rahlves Sugar Bowl Ski Team &Academy Board of Trustee---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We would like to project a big gigantic thank you to the Nickolay Dodov Foundation. I couldn’t believe it when Natalia reached out to me with her idea of coming to Mammoth to present their program to our student athletes. From the very beginning their foundation made it so easy to organize the presentation by communicating with our school and providing posters for the event. There is very little money in the California public school systems to pay for any “extra” programs especially in athletics. Without the foundation, there would not had been this opportunity for the foundations's all-important life education. Our students live at 8,000 feet surrounded by mountains up to 14,000 feet. The natural environment around us, pose a realistic threat to all of us. The Nickolay Dodov Foundation presented the realistic hazards of our environment. The kids were completely engaged, intrigued and moved by the presentation and it made a long lasting impact on their actions where the typical teenage behavior is not to think about consequences of their actions. At this age, they think they are invisible. With the huge records amounts of snow we received this winter at Mammoth (we’ll be skiing on it until August and we are still susceptible to avalanches), our community was constantly presented with the fatal possibilities of avalanches. It is impossible to measure how many lives the Nickolay Dodov Foundation has saved (probably many), but if it made just one person think before exposing themselves to a fatal circumstance, it was so so worth it. From the bottom of our hearts THANK YOU Nickolay Dodov Foundation! We hope they can return every year.
Connie Moyer Mammoth High School Ski and Snowboard Team Director CNISSF State Champions 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Nickolay Dodov Foundation has brought hours of avalanche education and mountain inspiration to the students at South Tahoe High School in the last four years. Each year their program touches lives, motivates athletes, and increases awareness in our growing mountain tribe. Their educators are among the best and cater their lessons and presentations to fit the audience. It is an honor to work with them in this necessary effort to educate our youth about safe backcountry travel.
Jillian Raymond History department South Tahoe High School ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDF is doing amazing things for our young snow sport athletes today. When I was younger, I never even considered how many variables there can be in backcountry riding. I knew about avalanches, but had very little knowledge about how to approach any backcountry work, and so I avoided it. I’m grateful to have been able to see the amazing NDF presentation with our ski and snowboard team. It inspired me to buy beacons for myself and my husband. We plan to take an Aiarie 1 course next fall so we can get even more educated on backcountry safety & reading/understanding snow conditions for those fun adventures! Thanks NDF!!!
Emma Rommo Snowboard coach Mammoth High School ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Good Morning Natalia and Alex, On behalf of everyone here, I thank you for making the journey to Yosemite to educate our ski team. As you guys know, it's critical that we build our knowledge of snow science and potential hazards at the same time we are building our skiing/riding skills. Your avalanche presentation gave this team a lot to think about in regards to training, snow safety, and decision-making. It was well-presented, engaging, and perfectly customized for our youngest skiers. Definitely a winter highlight for this group and we look forward to working with you next year! Again, thank you for your dedication and energy and please give our best to Paul. Happy skiing!
Kelsey and the Yosemite Ski Team -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forest Charter School greatly appreciates the program offered to our school from Nickolay Dodov Foundation in January of 2019. Richard Bothwell, Natalia and Alex created a dynamic presentation which captivated our K-12 students. Through two educational and informative presentations, the students learned about snow safety, decision making, safety gear, slope management and backcountry travel. The students were enthusiastic and supported in asking questions, sharing experiences and learning throughout the day. We will continue to utilize the education provided in our snow safety awareness and student support. We greatly appreciate the opportunity and will continue to seek further collaboration with Nickolay Dodov Foundation in the future.
Mark Keim 5/6 Grade Teacher Forest Charter School --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Nickolay Dodov Foundation presented to our South Tahoe Middle school ski team in the fall and our students loved it. The foundations avalanche educator Richard broke down the avalanche science extremely well for our students and kept them engaged the entire presentation. the ski team walked away with some practical knowledge of avalanche safety and some cool bonus gear too. We can't wait to have the Nickolay Dodov Foundation back next year to spread the word about backcountry safety to even more students.
James Seider (Educator at South Tahoe Middle School in South Lake Tahoe) ------------------------------
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The Nikolay Dodov Foundation visited Whittell High School this winter to present their Know Before You Go Workshop to my 8th grade science classes and our Alpine Ski Team athletes. The workshop was incredibly engaging for my students, and they really saw the importance of education and proper skills when travelling in the back country. They loved the video, they loved learning about the snow science of avalanches, and they were very excited about receiving headphones as prizes. Our ski team athletes left the workshop with more awareness about the risks when skiing outside of the resort, and they can't wait for the foundation to return next year and do an on-snow workshop. I highly recommend the workshop for any ski team or classroom. They do a great job of adapting the workshop for the ages and interests of the students, so all students walk away with more awareness and the desire to keep learning.
Madeline Cronk Science Teacher and Alpine Ski Team Coach at George Whittell High School ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Foundation was able to come to Sonora Elementary School this past winter and share a hands on dynamic presentation. The student athletes were able to participate in critical discussions, see new material and equipment that was demonstrated by highly skilled and qualified individuals. The presentation is engaging and beautifully designed. The kids are now able to carry the lessons onto the slopes.
Josette Alomia-Brown Physical Education 4-8th grade Sonora Elementary School
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Nickolay Dodov Foundation rock on! You are saving lives! It is a beautiful thing and I know that Nick is very proud of that remarkable accomplishment!
Craig Gordon Utah Avalanche Center Founder of KBYG Program ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Amazing people with an amazing mission! I am beyond proud to be a part of the Nickolay Dodov Foundation educators team! You two feel so many people with love and are helping the World to be a better place!
Duncan Lee Professional Backcountry Snowmobiler AIARE Avalanche Educator Sierra Avalanche Center Adviser
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I look forward to the NDF Slopestyle event all year. Not only do I get to send it, but the people participating and hosting the event are the best. There are great friends and great vibes on the mountain. I cannot wait for next years event and also to attend some of the great NDF Avalanche presentations and workshops!
Geo Alber 13 years old - 2x Winner NDF 12 and under
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NDF has translated the KBYG program into the Bulgarian language and has been organizing and supporting presentations in Bulgaria.
With the help of Karl Birkel Director of The National Avalanche Center, and Georgi Georgiev, Mountain Guide from The Free Mountains Associations and NDF Avalanche Educator NDF helped to translate and print the General Avalanche Safety Brochure from the National Avalanche Center into Bulgarian language and be distributed to the mountain resorts in Bulgaria.
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