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Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center
Board of Directors

Closing Date

10/21/2026

Current Position Description

Board of Directors

Volunteer Position Available: HPAC Board Member

ABOUT US

The Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center (HPAC) is an independent nonprofit avalanche center headquartered in Palmer, Alaska. The mission of the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center is to provide avalanche information and advisories to assist and educate the general public in avoiding avalanches. Our work includes publishing avalanche forecasts, observations, and significant weather advisories for the Hatcher Pass area, hosting educational and community building events throughout the Mat-Su Valley and Anchorage, and teaching avalanche awareness in school classrooms. The HPAC Board of Directors is a close-knit group of volunteers who work together to fundraise, provide strategic planning and governance, and ensure operations are sustainable for years to come.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

The HPAC Board of Directors is currently seeking new board members. HPAC Board Members are volunteers who serve an initial one-year term and subsequent two-year terms and are expected to participate in monthly in-person board meetings; provide counsel to HPAC staff broadly and in their areas of expertise; participate in events; and make HPAC a personally-meaningful part of their individual philanthropy.

Ideal board members bring insights, energy, and enthusiasm for the work of HPAC along with representation of our broad and diverse winter backcountry community. While a strong enthusiasm for the outdoors, winter recreation, and public safety is needed to be an effective board member, no formal or professional backcountry experience is required for this role.

We encourage all interested candidates to apply, including those with the professional skills and experience below. We are recruiting for multiple volunteer positions and don’t expect any one individual to possess experience in each of these areas.

  • Non-profit fundraising (development) roles with experience in non-profit organizations.
  • Experience with public safety, policy advocacy, or lobbying at the state or federal level
  • Legal experience
  • Professional experience in marketing or donor engagement
  • Prior experience serving on a nonprofit Board of Directors
  • Active involvement in the snowmachining and motorized recreation community, especially in Hatcher Pass

HOW TO APPLY

If you are interested in serving on the HPAC Board of Directors, please email heather@hpavalanche.org with a brief description of your professional background and how you see yourself contributing to the success of HPAC.

Applications will be thoughtfully reviewed by the current HPAC Board. We will follow up with qualified candidates as applications are received. Selected candidates will be invited to attend the HPAC Board of Directors meeting in person on October 21, 2026.

If you have any questions regarding the HPAC Board of Directors or would like to suggest a possible candidate, please contact us at info@hpavalanche.org.

Position Type

Board of Directors: Voluntary, legal governing body of a nonprofit.

Current areas of focus for board recruitment

Community Relations, Fundraising, Legal, Public Policy

Mission / Core Purpose / Core Values

The mission of the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center is to provide avalanche information and advisories to assist and educate the general public in avoiding avalanches. HPAC provides avalanche information and advisories for the Hatcher Pass area in the Talkeetna Mountains of Alaska.

HPAC is a grass-roots, non-agency avalanche center funded through community donations, fundraising events, and grants. HPAC was founded with ideals of service to community, independence, and hard work, and the organization continues to hold those core values. HPAC works closely with other avalanche centers, mountain rescue groups, and Alaska state agencies to strengthen our culture of avalanche safety in Southcentral Alaska.

Briefly describe your board culture.

The Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center INC Board of Directors are a close-knit group who are residents of southcentral Alaska. They bring valuable skills to our organization and work as volunteers behind the scenes to fund raise and ensure operations are sustainable.

Why is board diversity important to this organization?

Diversity within our Board strengthens our ability to serve the diverse population of winter recreators in Hatcher Pass. We encourage anyone with a passion for Hatcher Pass, winter sports, and backcountry safety to apply.

Board Meeting Location

Palmer, Alaska

Online meeting optional?

Yes

Number of board meetings / year including retreats

10

Average hours per month?

15

Are there term limits?

No

Board terms (years)

2

Primary language spoken in board room.

English

Please describe any giving and/or fundraising expectations of your board members.

Each member of the Board of Directors is expected to make an annual financial contribution at a level that is meaningful to them.

Are travel expenses related to board service reimbursed? If so explain.

No, however there is are no regular travel expectations outside of the core Mat-Su area.

Address

1150 S Colony Way Ste 3
PMB 372
Palmer AK 99645
Website: https://hpavalanche.org/Website
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HPAVALANCHE/Facebook

Organization Info

EIN: 84-2765579
Year of Incorporation: 2019
Location: Matanuska - Susitna Valley
Focus: Recreation
Operating Budget: $100k-$500k
Number of Staff: 4
Number of Board Members: 5
Guidestar page: https://app.candid.org/profile/9825549/hatcher-pass-avalanche-center-inc-84-2765579

Contacts

Primary Contact for Board Recruitment:
Heather Johnson (she/her)

Executive Director:
Marissa Bieger (she/her)