About Us
Friends of Berthoud Pass is a grassroots collective of backcountry enthusiasts committed to preserving the legacy of public recreation at Berthoud Pass. Founded in 2003, we are a non-profit 501c(3) tax exempt organization managed by a volunteer executive board and supported by a diverse and active member base. Membership is by donation with a suggested donation of $25 per year.
In its short history Friends of Berthoud Pass has fashioned a new paradigm in winter recreation on public land. We have successfully mobilized public involvement in lobbying the US Forest Service to incorporate the needs and wishes of winter backcountry users in development plans at Berthoud Pass, and positioned ourselves as a key stakeholder in the public policy process.
The Friends of Berthoud Pass avalanche education curriculum has expanded from two presentations in 2004 to a 2010/ 2011 roster of 12 lectures and two all-day field courses. Each year more than 1,200 people attend the basic avalanche awareness class and 150 attend the on-snow field sessions. Both classroom and on-snow sessions are lauded by neophytes and veterans alike.
The Skiers Behind It
Shan Sethna – Executive Director
Shan handles FOBP’s marketing, promotions, development, sponsor and media relations, event coordination, and general administration. A graduate of Colorado College and a die-hard telemark skier, Shan has worked and traveled around the world as a writer and media consultant. He has been exploring Berthoud Pass and the Colorado backcountry since 1987.
Adam Hevenor – President
A founding member of FOBP, Adam manages all facets of the website including e-commerce and database administration. Adam first skied Berthoud Pass more than 10 years ago while studying computer science at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colo. Adam is as passionate about tearing up BMX freeride jumps and singletrack as he his is about backcountry skiing. Check out his blog for more about his adventures.
Carl Dowdy – Vice President
As Vice President, Carl develops and supports the avalanche education program as well as all other major initiatives and events. He enjoys a Berthoud powder day just as much as anyone, but Carl’s passion is ski mountaineering. He is on a quest to ski all 52 of Colorado’s 14,000ft peaks, and at last count was approaching 40 descents. When he isn’t skiing or climbing, Carl works as a litigation attorney in Denver.
Bob Tomsky – Lead Avalanche Instructor
Our Lead Avalanche Instructor is Bob Tomsky, aka ‘Bobski’, the former Berthoud Pass ski patrol avalanche training director. Bobski has been a snow educator since the 1980, and holds advanced certification in both telemark and alpine ski instruction, as well as advanced avalanche education. He has a master’s degree in adult education and we are very fortunate to share his expertise. Check him out online at skinutt.com.
Contact Us
- By mail: P.O. Box 48063, Denver, CO 80204
- By email: info@berthoudpass.org
- On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/berthoudpass