Lori Zacaruk, safety educator and longtime snowmobiler, has a passion for the sport that resonates through her words.
“People in the avalanche world are not there for the money,” said Zacaruk. “They’re there because they love the backcountry, and they want to see everyone enjoy it and come home safely. They want a positive public appearance for all recreational sides.”
She and her husband, Randy Zacaruk, are the team behind Zac’s Tracs, a company that provides avalanche safety courses. Together, they have received much acclaim, both from sledders and from other professionals, for their teaching techniques.
Zac’s Tracs has found success by combining fun and interaction in its courses. The company has presented its avalanche safety programs to thousands of snowmobilers, and also through the Alberta Snowmobile Association’s Sled Smart program.
One thing Zacaruk would like to see is greater use of the avalanche bulletins. Many sledders are not familiar with these alerts, but they are a valuable way to get a picture of current snow conditions.
“We’re building a puzzle of the snow stability, and the avalanche bulletin is a huge cornerpiece,” said Zacaruk. “It’s not going to tell us what’s happening in front of our skis, but it’s going to tell us what’s going on in general in our region, and that helps guide us to help fill in the puzzle piece that fits in the centre of our puzzle.”
