Avalanche center names director

The director of the avalanche center in Crested Butte, Colorado, has been selected to lead avalanche forecasting for Northwest Montana beginning this winter.

The Flathead National Forest announced Tuesday that Zach Guy will be the new director of the Flathead Avalanche Center. He will replace Erich Peitzsch, who is stepping down as director to pursue doctorate research in snow and avalanche science. Peitzsch will continue working with the center in a part-time capacity.

Guy holds a master’s degree from Montana State University’s snow science department and has six years of forecasting and snow-safety experience working for Irwin Guides and the Crested Butte Avalanche Center, where he currently serves as director.

Guy plans to begin his new position later in the season.

Todd Hannan will serve as interim director until Guy’s arrival. Hannan is in his fourth season as an avalanche specialist with the Flathead Avalanche Center and will lead daily forecasting operations, along with avalanche specialists Mark Dundas, Peitzsch and Seth Carbonari. Guy Zoellner will provide support to the FAC as an observer, along with Jenny Cloutier as the education coordinator for the Friends of the Flathead Avalanche Center.

The Flathead Avalanche Center provides advisories for the Flathead, Swan and Whitefish ranges within the Flathead National Forest and portions of Glacier National Park. Advisories are regularly issued by 7:30 a.m. every day. The center functions as a partnership between the Flathead National Forest and Friends of the Flathead Avalanche Center.

For more information, visit www.flatheadavalanche.org or call 406-257-8402.