September 24, 2020 Kalispell, MT– Today, the Flathead National Forest announced that Blase Reardon will be the new Flathead Avalanche Center (FAC) Director. Reardon replaces outgoing director Zach Guy who has served in the position for the last four years.

Reardon brings an extensive career of professional avalanche forecasting experience to the position and has built a reputation throughout the avalanche forecaster community for excellent communication, education, and teamwork skills. He has experience working at Forest Service, non-profit, and state avalanche centers of various sizes ranging from two to 20 employees. Reardon served on the executive committee for the American Avalanche Association and has published numerous peer reviewed and technical publications related to snow science, avalanche education, and awareness.

“We had many highly qualified applicants for this competitive role, and I am incredibly pleased that Blase has accepted this critical position,” said Flathead National Forest Supervisor Kurt Steele. “The Avalanche Center, its services and our non-profit partner Friends of the Flathead Avalanche Center continue to provide a great service as demand for winter recreation increases in our community. We look forward to continuing to provide this valuable service, and Blase will fit into this role very well.”

 “We are excited to hear Blase has accepted the position as the new Director of the Flathead Avalanche Center,” said Friends of the Flathead Avalanche Center Operations Director Emily Struss. “Blase brings decades of forecasting experience and an ability to engage with diverse audiences in writing and in story-telling. He has spent his life dedicated to avalanche safety and education, and we have no doubt he will continue to do great things serving as Director. We will miss Zach Guy and the leadership and energy he brought to this program but know Blase is a fantastic choice to fill his boots. Winter will be here before we know it and the team at FAC and FOFAC are excited to begin planning for the upcoming season with Blase at the helm.”

For the last two years, Reardon has served as the lead forecaster for the Flathead Avalanche Center and is an integral part of the center’s current and future outreach, education, and service to the winter recreation community. He will begin his new position in mid-October.

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