Here at SWS Mountain Guides, we’ve always believed our work is about sharing skills and building a stronger, safer mountain community. This winter, we’re excited to take that commitment a step further by working to bring a beacon park to Bear Valley.
A beacon park is a simple but powerful tool: it allows backcountry skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, etc. to practice avalanche beacon searches in a safe, controlled environment. Having a dedicated practice area helps people sharpen their rescue skills before they ever need them in the real world. Our goal is to create a resource that’s free, accessible, and open to everyone who calls Bear Valley home or comes to explore the area.
To make this happen, we’ve launched a GoFundMe page to raise the funds needed for a BCA wireless beacon training park. Since this will be a true community resource, not something privately owned or charged for, we’re asking for your support. Whether you’re a local, a visitor, or simply someone who believes in avalanche education, every contribution helps us move closer to building this park.
If you’d like to be part of this effort, please consider donating to the GoFundMe. Together, we can bring this project to life and give Bear Valley a valuable tool for training, learning, and helping stay a little safer in the backcountry.
10/30/25 – An additional note from Caleb
Tim Keating, who started SWS Mountain Guides is spearheading this initiative and he’s passionate about bringing a beacon park to the community again.
In years past, Bear Valley Resort hosted a beacon park, but it’s now outdated and no longer fully functional. We see that as an opportunity to create something better for the community, something modern, accessible, and truly owned by everyone who comes to Bear Valley.
Please share this article with anyone you know, and if you can.
Thank you for any help in making this vision a reality.
Written by: Caleb Burns