NICKOLAY DODOV FOUNDATION HAD THE BUSIEST AVALANCHE SAFETY EDUCATIONAL SEASON WITH 27 FREE EVENTS FOR WINTER 2021/2022

Nick Dodov

SUMMARY OF NICKOLAY DODOV FOUNDATION EVENTS FOR WINTER SEASON 2021/2022

WE DID IT! NDF HAD THE BUSIEST AVALANCHE SAFETY EDUCATIONAL SEASON! 

Nickolay Dodov Foundation was able to organize 27 events! The most events we have had for one Winter!

22 virtual events, 4 one on one workshops and Nick Dodov Slopestyle!  

NDF reached out to ski and snowboard athletes, middle, high school and university students, coaches, teachers, parents and all age winter sports enthusiasts from climbers, backcountry skiers/splitboarders, snowmobilers/ snowbikres and snowshoers in California, Oregon, Washington States and Bulgaria!  

7th Annual Nick Dodov Slopestyle

We are scheduling Summer events to Blaise Boot Camp at Mt Hood, to New Zealand and Australia ski and snowboard teams.  

Once again, we had to work with small budget and no grants.  

Big Thank you to all our donors and partners! Without their help we wouldn’t be able to offer our FREE Avalanche Safety Educational Programs.  

Big Thank you to the NDF Avalanche Educators for their dedication and professionalism!  

NDF Annual Free Avalanche Educational Event in Bulgaria

Check out our website for full list with details of  all events www.nickolaydodovfoundation.com 

Welcome to the Nickolay Dodov FoundationThe Nickolay Dodov Foundation is part of a nationwide movement to educate youth and all-age winter sports enthusiasts to stay safe in winter environments.www.nickolaydodovfoundation.com

We are excited to share that Nickolay Dodov Foundation has earned fourth consecutive Platinum Seal of Transparency for 2022! We are committed to the highest level of transparency by sharing our key metrics and highlighting the difference we are making! We choose to display quantitative information to represent our work towards our mission. We are proud to have earned another Platinum Seal to share our full and complete story with the World! Our status puts us on the top 0.5% of all non-profits on Guide Star and is evidence that we are very thoughtful, savvy and responsible driving our resources towards our organization mission! Our seal is posted on our website as a symbol of integrity! Guide Star is the World’s largest resource of information about non profits showcasing the progress and results each organization makes toward their mission!

Nickolay Dodov Foundation is the LEADING provider of Free Avalanche Education to youth and all ages in Northern California. In the last nine years the Foundation has reached out with FREE Avalanche Education presenting the Avalanche Awareness Program “Know Before You Go” and teaching Youth Avalanche Safety Interactive Workshops to more than 14000 ski and snowboard athletes, middle, high school and university students, coaches, teachers, parents, and all age mountain enthusiasts. Our presentations and workshops are delivered by the 11 Nickolay Dodov Foundation’s experienced snow and avalanche professional educators.

“I am very proud of the work that the NDF is doing. Natalia and Alex have done something few people accomplish. They have taken an almost unspeakable tragedy in their lives and turned their unbearable sadness into a mission to education people – and especially youth – about avalanche safety. Though it hasn’t always been easy, they have been extremely successful, educating thousands of kids about avalanches and creating a community of avalanche aware youth in the Sierra Mountains and beyond. I cannot adequately express my appreciation for the phenomenal work they are doing. Hooray for Natalia and Alex and hooray for the NDF!”
Karl Birkeland,
Director Forest Service National Avalanche Center
NDF Special Adviser

“Founded by Natalia and Alex Dodov, and named after their son who died in an avalanche in Alaska, the Nickolay Dodov Foundation is a leading provider of avalanche awareness training to youth in the Sierra. They are the leader in the growing effort to provide this critical information to youth. They do a great job reaching school groups and ski teams and providing important avalanche information to help keep kids safe in the winter mountain environment. Their presentations are well designed and delivered by experienced snow and avalanche professionals.”
David Reichel
Executive Director Sierra Avalanche Center

FREE Avalanche Workshop Friday, January 22nd, 6pm-7.30pm(PST)

Free Avalanche Workshop organized by Nickolay Dodov Foundation on Friday, January 22nd, 6pm with some of the most respectful professionals in the avalanche educational field! DON’T MISS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY!!!

Join Nickolay Dodov Foundation on Friday!

JOIN NDF FOR A WEBINAR-FREE AVALANCHE WORKSHOP WITH AMAZING GROUP OF SPEAKERS!!!

Karl Birkeland – NDF Special Adviser, Director Forest Service National Avalanche Center

Craig Gordon – NDF Special Adviser, Utah Avalanche Center Forecaster, Founder of the Know Before You Go Program

Nick Meyers – Director of Mount Shasta Avalanche Center

Dallas Glass – Deputy Director Northwest Avalanche Center

Brandon Schwartz – Lead Forecaster for Sierra Avalanche Center.

As we continue our wait for the snow to fall again, it is now the best time to get educated on avalanche safety. No matter where you are in your journey of backcountry experience and education, there is always something new that we all can learn to prepare for the storms ahead.

DON’T MISS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM SOME OF THE MOST RESPECTFUL PROFESSIONALS IN THE AVALANCHE EDUCATIONAL FIELD!!! We are looking forward to see you on Friday!!!

here is the link; https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86325042516

www.nickolaydodovfoundation.com

Nickolay Dodov Foundation, the leader providing FREE avalanche education in California and beyond is one of the Top Rated 2020 Non Profits

Nickolay Dodov Foundation is honored to be on the 2020 @greatnonprofits Top Rated Non-Profits list!!! Check the reviews from the most respected professionals in the avalanche field, from ski/snowboard coaches, from teachers, from students and athletes, from journalists. We are very thankful to all of them for great reviews and support! To our Bear Valley cominuty members! Please support NDF with a review! Please support NDF with a donation! As many other nonprofits we lost two of our big fundraisers due to COVID-19. We believe that avalanche education will be more Important than ever! We believe that we will find support to continue providing FREE Avalanche education to youth and all ages in California and beyond! Our commitment to providing FREE Avalanche Education to you does not change during this pandemic, but it does change how we fund it. Please consider donating so we can continue our work and be an essential part of your winter! here is the link https://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/write/nickolay-dodov-foundation

Here are some of the reviews;

“The NDF is a fantastic non-profit providing free avalanche education to youth in California, as well as in other states and even sometimes internationally. They operate with a very limited budget and put all the money toward their avalanche education efforts. I can’t say enough good things about Natalia, Alex, and the NDF. They are a non-profit that is well worth supporting!”

Karl Birkeland Director Forest Service National Avalanche Center NDF Adviser

“The Nickolay Dodov Foundation is a leading provider of youth avalanche awareness presentations in Northern California. They do a great job reaching school groups and ski teams and providing important avalanche information to help keep kids safe in the winter mountain environment. The Nickolay Dodov Foundation is a leader in the growing effort to provide this critical information to youth. Their presentations are well designed and delivered by experienced snow and avalanche professionals.”

David Reichel Executive Director – Sierra Avalanche Center

“This nonprofit provides valuable life saving education to winter time backcountry enthusiasts. Each event is filled with avalanche awareness, rescue and knowledge that teaches children to approach the backcountry with caution. This information provides the foundation of avalanche education and is pertinent to the future generations. Mountain communities need this more than ever as winter time sports are ever expanding to the backcountry. This program helps to save lives and allow people enjoy their favorite pass time safely. We need more organizations like this.”

Jason Bilek AIARE Level 1 and 2 Avalanche Educator NDF Avalanche Educator

“The Nickolay Dodov Foundation is clear about its mission, and stays true to that mission. The emphasis is always on delivering avalanche education to the public. I have been involved with several non-profits. This one is special because their budget goes almost entirely to delivering programs. Five dollars donated to the NDF will provide an opportunity for one more student to receive avalanche education, on average. If there is a school group, club or other organization that would benefit from avalanche education, the Nickolay Dodov Foundation will come to them to deliver.”

Richard Bothwell Former AIARE Director AMGA SPI Climbing Guide AIARE Level 1 and 2 Avalanche Educator PSIA Ski Instructor Owner of Outdoor Adventure Club NDF Avalanche Educator “

The Nickolay Dodov foundation was founded by two amazing people that lost their son to an avalanche some years ago. They have made it their goal in life to help the winter sports community which includes, ski race teams, snowboard teams, kids, adults, in-bounds and backcountry users. They also reach the motorized community with not only avalanche awareness but also by providing rescue practice and gear to use. The foundation hires professional avalanche educators to deliver high quality content to all of their attendants. They reach thousands of people each season. Their work has helped save lives and given people the appropriate knowledge they need before going into the backcountry. I believe the Nickolay Dodov foundation is a must for the winter community’s.”

Duncan Lee Professional Snowmobiler Avalanche educator with Sierra Avalanche Center NDF Avalanche Educator

“As an avid skier and making snow skiing my profession, I understand how critical snow safety is for all who go into the mountains. I have taken Avalanche Safety Education through many programs and rate NDF as a very valuable educational experience. They offer this education to our youth snow enthusiasts as well and present in a way they can grasp the basic and important skills through classroom and in the field learning. Then putting it all into action and practicing real life scenarios. Read their story and mission. NDF is committed to educating all snow enthusiasts by arming them to make smart decisions, knowing how to use safety equipment and keeping people safe to enjoy recreation on snow.”

Daron Rahlves The most accomplished American downhill racer of all time Sugar Bowl Academy- Board of Trustees

“The Nickolay Dodov Foundation has has offered their superb Avalanche educational services to our school for the Past 2 years. I run a program for a Ski Academy that is surrounded by terrain that see’s frequent Avalanche activity. To be able to have the Dodov foundation come in and work with our team is an invaluable experience for all. Their modest approach to their non-profit program shows they really care about educating people and not about making a buck. My experience with them has been excellent and I would fully recommend using their services to continue to educate thrill seekers about the risk involved while traveling in the backcountry.”

Sean Carey Director of Freeride Sugar Bowl Ski Team & Academy

“LOVE the Dodov foundation! They are passionate about educating the next generation of shredders. The workshops are a great introduction to snowsport safety and a must for anyone. I hope they keep touring and presenting as it is esential to filling the gap that is currently present (those who are not ready to financially commit to a full avy course)”

Bruce Edgerly Vice President/Co-founder Backcountry Access, Inc.

“In today’s world, you can reach so many people through social media. Unfortunately, very few of us use this platform to do something bigger than ourselves. We post our opinions but don’t act upon them to make changes. And that’s where Natalia and Alex Dodov stray from the rest of us. Instead of sitting on the sidelines, they use their opportunities and energy to help kids learn about avalanche safety solutions. I’ve seen this personally in action at South Tahoe High School and it was amazing to see every single kid absorbing the material even if they aren’t skiers or snowboarders. Living in the mountains is a dangerous if you don’t how to watch out and avoid avalanches. This FREE service they do is essential and can’t say enough about them.”

Alex Silgalis Journalist, Local Freshies

“I learned about the Nickolay Dodov Foundation while working for a small newspaper in Calaveras County, and the story of the foundation is the most inspirational that I have had the opportunity to cover. Alex and Natalia Dodov responded to the tragic loss of their son in an avalanche by working tirelessly to ensure that young people have the knowledge necessary to stay safe in the mountains. They do this by providing free presentations and workshops on avalanche safety to ski and snowboard athletes, students, teachers, parents and mountain enthusiasts of any age. Knowledgeable speakers, videos, activities and games are skillfully used to engage young audiences. At the presentation that I attended in Bear Valley, I was impressed that the NDF was able to engage even the youngest students in the audience. The NDF has educated more than 10,500 people in the last seven years. I believe that the NDF has saved lives through its work, and will save many more in the years to come.”

Noah Berner Journalist, Calaveras Enterprise

“Each Winter season I look forward to working with Natalia, Alex, and their experienced and professional avalanche educators. The Nickolay Dodov Foundation brings the content of mountain safety and survival to my students in a modern, engaging, and hands-on way. Students are able to see themselves in the mountains because the information is catered to the age group and it is interactive and high-interest. The knowledge they gain opens doors to career paths, science study, and recreational opportunities that they would not otherwise get! The Foundation is flexible, communicative, and very respectful to teachers and schools schedules, demands, and students! Looking forward to Winter 2021!”

Jillian Raymond backcountry skier/ teacher South Tahoe High School History Department/ AVID Elective Teacher NDF has been to this school 6 years in the row!

“I cannot say enough positive things about the Dodov Foundation. I was first exposed to this organization when they presented to my son’s ski race team 2 years ago. It was such a powerful and educational presentation that intermixed their own personal experiences with snow sciences. Since then, he has attended 2 more educational sessions. Each time him and I walk away with new information and a renewed respect for snow safety. Thank you for creating content that can engage the youngest skiers and boarders.”

Amy Kadelski Fish Backcountry skier, Mother of ski racer, have been to many of the NDFavalanche education events with her son and husband

“We attended a free one day avalanche safety event at Sugar Bowl Academy. Amongst students, parents and other local snow enthusiasts, we spent a wonderful day learning about snow and avalanche safety. The first part of the day was spent in the classroom and the teacher kept the lesson so interesting and interactive. Natalia and Alex even had gifts as giveaways. Then we went outside and practiced our newly learned skills. Beacon in hand, probe and shovel at the ready, we worked in small groups to retrieve buried equipment. I would recommend The Nickolay Dodov Foundation to anyone looking to become safer when in the backcountry. We really enjoyed our experience and look forward to the next opportunity to attend one of these sessions!”

Johanna Cameron Backcountry skier

“The Nickolay Dodov Foundation is a beautiful non profit that educates the public (primary the youth) about Avalanche education. I took a course in Santa Cruz in the classroom , learning about snow pack stability & snow layer’s, and about hazardous terrain. Also learning about how to travel into the backcountry and with what tools I need. We then split up into groups and played scenarios , and critical thinking in a short amount of time. After the classroom we went down to the beach to do some hands on training with Beacon, Probe , & Shovel. Great training and practice to utilize the skills we learned in the classroom & put them to the test. That way when we travel in the backcountry we not only have the gear and knowledge , but know how to use the tools. Alex & Natalia list there son in a tragic avalanche in Alaska & started this non profit in his name. Nothing but love & Respect for Alex & Natalia & the Nickolay Dodov foundation! Looking forward to the next Avalanche workshop.”

Ben Gilbert Backcountry skier

“I attended this avalanche workshop as a ‘refresher’ and I am extremely thankful for the hands on opportunity to practice for a burial rescue.The probes I owned were old and did not work efficiently, and I was having a lot of difficulty. I ordered new probes that evening and I felt much more confident and safe when I went backcountry snowboarding later that week. I am an avid snowboarder and snowmobiler and I love to play in the mountains. The Nickolay Dodov Foundation is a phenomenal organization that plain and simply saves lives. We never think that we may be caught in an avalanche or that we may have to rescue a loved one, but it is a risk we all take when we venture out in the snow. Natalia and Alex are passionate about teaching snow safety awareness. They do not want you to stop having fun, on the contrary, they want you to go out and play in the mountains, but do it being well informed with knowledge and equipment. I highly recommend these workshops, especially for young people.”

Michelle Harvey Backcountry snowboarder/ snowmobiler

“This foundation is changing the game of backcountry/avalanche education! I have attended several workshops that they have put on FOR FREE! They have expert educators that truly are gifted in sharing and teaching on the topic of backcountry safety. I have learned so much and hope thousands of others will have the same opportunity to benefit from this foundation!” Drew Loring Backcountry snowboarder

SUMMARY OF NICKOLAY DODOV FOUNDATION FREE AVALANCHE EDUCATIONAL TOUR FOR WINTER SEASON 2019/2020 by Natalia and Alex Dodov

The NDF Avalanche Safety Educational Tour was cut short due to CORONA Virus while the Foundation was having the busiest season traveling with FREE Avalanche Education to youth, presenting EIGHTEEN Free Avalanche Educational events to more than 2500 ski and snowboard athletes, middle, high school and university students, coaches, teachers, parents and all age mountain enthusiast.

Alex and Natalia Dodov

When the Pandemic started NDF had to cancel 5 KBYG presentation, 2 NDF avalanche workshops, 2 Level 1 courses, 2 international workshops and the 7th Annual Nickolay Dodov slopestyle event.

As Founders of NDF we volunteer our time to help the Foundation. We scheduled, traveled from Santa Cruz to Mammoth and China Lake from Tahoe to Quincy, Taylorsville and Mt Shasta from Bear Valley to Sacramento bringing the necessary equipment to organize and be in support of every event.

Thank you to our dedicated donors! We were able to provide all the free classes with an exceedingly small budget without a major grants or sponsors.

We are very thankful to our eleven avalanche educators (7 in the US and 3 International) for their passion and professionalism.

Besides being busy with the Foundation we had 100+ ski days in the backcountry. During the Pandemic we were out every day to brake trails and oversee the safety in our backyard.

We hope that you are having a nice Summer… That you climbed a rock, biked a trail, surfed a wave, rode some white waters… That you took the time to admire the wild flowers…Kept your screws loose! We are very busy with our Summer jobs…and always making time to play!!!..We are looking forward to see you in the Winter!

List of the events and the places NDF visited in Winter 2019/2020

——————————————————————————————-

October 26th – Avalanche Safety Presentation in Bear Valley at the BVAC

December 7th – Second Annual Five hour Interactive Avalanche Workshop in Santa Cruz

December 10th – Second Annual KBYG Avalanche Safety Presentation at Mammoth High School

December 11th – Avalanche Safety Presentation at Naval Base China Lake

December 29th – Third Annual Avalanche Safety Presentation to the Squaw Valley ski/snowboard teams

December 29th – Second Annual Five hour Interactive Avalanche Workshop at Sugar Bowl Ski Academy

December 30th – Five-hour Interactive Avalanche Workshop for the Squaw Valley ski/snowboard teams

January 18th – Second Annual KBYG Avalanche Safety Presentation for the Heavenly ski/snowboard teams

January 30th – Avalanche Awareness Clinic to Sacramento State ski/snowboard team and students

February 8th – Seventh Annual KBYG Avalanche Safety Presentation for the Bear Valley Ski/snowboard teams

February 15th – (Nick’s Birthday) Fifth Annual Avalanche Safety Presentation for Kirkwood ski team

February 21st – KBYG Avalanche Safety Presentation to the students of Plumas County Charter school in Quincy

February 21st – KBYG Avalanche Safety Presentation to the students of Indian Valley Academy in Taylorsville

February 22nd – KBYG Avalanche Safety Presentation at LOGE Mt Shasta

March 2nd – Sixth Annual KBYG Avalanche Safety Presentation to the students of Avery Middle School

March 5th – KBYG Avalanche Safety Presentation at Truckee Philosophy

March 6th – Sixth Annual Avalanche Educational Event with two avalanche safety presentations/workshops to the students of South Tahoe High School

March 8th – Second Annual Beacon Search Practice for Bear Valley ski/snowboard teams

Alex and Natalia Dodov

“Nickolay Dodov Foundation has busy year despite coronavirus” By Noah Berner, Calaveras Enterprise

 

“Organizations of all kinds have been hit hard by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and local nonprofits are no exception.
After shelter-in-place restrictions went into effect in mid-March, the Nickolay Dodov Foundation (NDF) had to cancel several events, including one of its main fundraisers.
Founded by Natalia and Alex Dodov, and named after their son who died in an avalanche in Alaska, the NDF is a leading provider of free avalanche awareness training in the Sierra. Over the past seven years, the NDF has worked to educate youth and all ages of mountain enthusiasts on how to stay safe in the mountains, teaching free avalanche safety presentations and workshops to more than 10,500 people.

The Dodovs hope to save lives through their work, and attend every event themselves. While the NDF had to cancel five presentations and three workshops due to COVID-19, they still had one of their busiest seasons so far.
“Before the pandemic started, NDF was able to present 18 free avalanche educational events to more than 2,500 ski and snowboard athletes, middle, high school and university students, coaches, teachers, parents and all-age mountain enthusiasts,” Natalia Dodov said. “All the events we had this winter were by request from the benefiting groups – ski and snowboard teams and schools, colleges and universities. There has been an increased number of organizations seeing the need for avalanche education and reaching out to NDF.”
The seventh annual Nickolay Dodov Slopestyle competition at Bear Valley was canceled this year following the closure of the downhill ski resort.
“We missed the opportunity to have a fundraiser during the Slopestyle,” Natalia Dodov said. “We are hoping the current situation will improve and people will continue to contribute in the future.”

Three additional avalanche educators joined the NDF this year, bringing the total to seven.
“We have been discussing with our avalanche educators different ways how to approach youth and all-ages mountain enthusiasts with online avalanche education,” Natalia Dodov said. “Even though we are hoping for normal times to return, as we are already planning many events for the next winter season.”
Natalia Dodov said that the work of the NDF has become even more important during the current crisis.
“Resort restrictions may unleash a flood of new users with no foundation of avalanche safety education and knowledge into the backcountry next winter,” she said. “The avalanche classes were already too expensive for many. Now, with the current economic situation, even more people won’t be able to afford them. Free avalanche education will be crucial.”
The NDF was founded to help winter sports enthusiasts safely enjoy the mountains, and that’s just what the Dodovs have been doing with their time off.
“In the last two months, living in Bear Valley, we have spent our time that otherwise we would volunteer towards avalanche safety presentations and workshops to backcountry ski and snowboard and oversee the safety around our backyard,” Natalia Dodov said. “So far this season we have had over 100 ski days – only about 20 days in the ski area – the rest were in the backcountry. With the high passes open there is more spring skiing to be had.”
Those interested in supporting the NDF’s work can send checks to Nickolay Dodov Foundation, PO Box 5035, Bear Valley, CA 95223, or donate through Paypal at nickolaydodovfoundation.com/donate. Donations are tax deductible, and contributors will receive an invoice for their records.

 

http://www.calaverasenterprise.com/news/coronavirus_information/article_8ce42c7a-a0ab-11ea-bae9-13fb5d185587.html

The Dodov Foundation… A ‘Beacon’ Of Positivity by Alex Silgalis, Local Freshies

“In today’s world, our own voice is the strongest it has EVER been. You can reach so many people through social media. Unfortunately, very few of us use this platform to do something bigger than ourselves. We post our opinions but don’t act upon them to make changes. And that’s where Natalia and Alex Dodov stray from the rest of us. Instead of sitting on the sidelines, they use their opportunities and energy to help kids learn about avalanche safety solutions.

Seeing The Dodov Foundation In Action

I’ve been good friends with the Dodov’s for quite a while, but it wasn’t until this week I came to the realization of what they are actually doing. I was given the privilege to step into a South Tahoe High School classroom and see their foundation in action. Looking around, I saw something that absolutely blew my mind. Attentive high school kids listening closely to an avalanche educator teaching them about avalanche safety solutions. The lyrics of the hip-hop group Jurassic 5 pounded in my head over and over again:

Are you part of the problem,

Or are you part of the solution.

Are you part of the problem,

Or are you part of the solution.

What’s your contribution to life?

Taking Something Tragic & Fueling A Mission

What would you do if your son, daughter, husband, or wife died doing something you love to do? Would you give up on that activity? Maybe sue the company or business? Well, a few years ago, Alex & Natalia lost their son in an avalanche during a heli-skiing excursion in Alaska. Instead of rage or seeking revenge, Natalia & Alex took a different route. They used their son’s tragic accident as a calling and created the Nickolay Dodov Foundation. Their goal is simple… to provide FREE avalanche courses to educate youth and all-age winter enthusiasts. While people living near the ocean need to worry about things like riptides, here in the mountains, the worry is avalanches.

Putting Their Money Where Their Mouth Is

Alex and Natalia work hard all summer long from sun up to sun down. Instead of living the pampered life and chasing powder to ski wherever it snows, they take that money and put it into the Dodov Foundation. Not just money either. Like monks of the mountains, they travel across the state putting on avalanche seminars. From schools to children’s ski academies and everything in between, they are trying to teach the next generation on how to stay safe when playing in the mountains.

Help The Next Generation

Right now, they’re doing this 100% on their own with only a handful of sponsors. Their goal isn’t to become famous but rather continue to expand the amount of kids reached. If you know a class, school, or organization that wants a FREE class, reach out to Natalia. Or better yet, if you think what they’re doing is awesome and have a few bucks to spare, consider donating to the foundation. Every bit helps to reach just one more kid. Either way, Natalia will make sure she gives you “buckets of hugs” for helping.”

“Nickolay Dodov Foundation reaches out with free avalanche education to youth” By Noah Berner, Calaveras Enterprise, Oct 25, 2019

In the winter of 2012, local resident Nickolay Dodov lost his life in an avalanche at age 26 while heli-boarding in Haines, Alaska.
Following this tragedy, Dodov’s parents, Natalia and Alex Dodov, started the Nickolay Dodov Foundation (NDF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating youth and all ages of winter sports enthusiasts on how to stay safe in the mountains.

Since then, the NDF has provided free avalanche education through presentations, workshops and classes to over 8,000 skiers, snowboarders, students, coaches, teachers and parents.
Nickolay Dodov was born in Bulgaria and began skiing with his parents shortly after taking his first steps. He soon switched to snowboarding and eventually joined the Bulgarian National Junior Team.
After moving with his family to the United States at age 12, Nickolay Dodov continued to compete in competitive snowboarding events, including the Junior World Cup, the Tahoe Snowboard Series, the U.S. National Championship and the U.S. Open.
As he grew older, Nickolay Dodov turned to freestyle, slopestyle and backcountry snowboarding. After graduating from Bret Harte High School, he spent much of the last seven years of his life as a sponsored snowboarder in Truckee, snowmobiling and splitboarding with friends in the Sierra backcountry.
“We mostly go to youth, but we go to everyone who asks us,” Natalia Dodov said.
Last year, the foundation organized 12 “Know Before You Go” (KBYG) avalanche awareness presentations and seven avalanche workshops for more than 2,000 athletes and students, and also put on the sixth annual Nickolay Dodov Slopestyle competition at Bear Valley.
While most events are held in California, the NDF has also presented in Nevada and Montana, and organizes events in the Dodovs’ home country of Bulgaria. The organization has even translated the KBYG program into the Bulgarian language

Eight avalanche instructors work to carry out the mission of the foundation. The Dodovs organize and attend all of the events themselves, with the exception of those in Bulgaria.
The presentations are designed to engage young athletes and students with quizzes, interactive tests and outdoor avalanche companion rescue practices.

NDF-sponsor Skullcandy provides free headphones to be awarded afterwards, and NDF-sponsor Backcountry Access provides free avalanche gear – beacons, shovels, and probes – for the avalanche workshops.
In addition, NDF Avalanche Educator and chemistry scholar Michael McCarthy recently developed a five-hour interactive avalanche educational workshop for youth to fill out the gap between the KBYG program and a Level 1 avalanche class.
The foundation works with various partners, including Sierra Avalanche Center, Utah Avalanche Center and National Avalanche Center, which all operate in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service.
Karl Birkeland, director of National Avalanche Center, has been one of the foundation’s biggest supporters. Following the accident, the Dodovs reached out to him
“They were sort of searching to make sense of the accident … which was an unspeakably difficult and trying thing … and one of the things that they were wanting to do was to try and make a real positive influence on people, and especially kids and avalanche education,” Birkeland said.
Birkeland connected the Dodovs with the KBYG program, which is operated out of Utah Avalanche Center and geared towards educating youth on avalanche safety.

“The National Avalanche Center is the small avalanche center with the big name, because we just have two employees, so you can imagine that there is only so much that we can do,” Birkeland said. “We really rely on the private sector and nonprofits and other people in the avalanche community to do a lot of the avalanche education.”

Over the past six years, National Avalanche Center has provided resources to help the NDF carry out its mission.
“To have really committed people like Alex and Natalia and all of the educators that work with them out there providing this information to all these kids, I find it just incredible and super gratifying,” Birkeland said. “They’re great people and I think they’re doing really great work … They can be a really powerful voice for avalanche safety.”
In 2014, the NDF created the Schmidt Award in honor of Marty and Denali Schmidt, a local father and son who lost their lives in an avalanche while climbing K2 in 2013. The award is given out annually to individuals or organizations for providing snow safety awareness and avalanche education to the snowsports community.
Since the NDF began organizing presentations, the Dodovs have received an abundance of positive feedback.
“You are making an incredible impact for our snowsports world,” Sugar Bowl Ski Team and Academy Board Member Daron Rahlves said. “Thank you so much! Nick is with you every step of the way!”

This year’s series of NDF programs will kick off on Oct. 26 with a presentation at a Bear Valley Adventure Company event in Bear Valley, where the Dodovs have lived and skied for the past 20 years.
“We are already scheduling many avalanche educational presentations and workshops for the upcoming snow season,” Natalia Dodov said. “It looks like it will be another busy winter with avalanche education. We will encourage and teach as many as we can to play on the snow and be safe. We believe that by educating youth we will save lives.”
The NDF accepts donations through Paypal on its website, nickolaydodovfoundation.com. Checks can be addressed to PO Box 5035, Bear Valley, CA 95223. The Nickolay Dodov Foundation is a charitable 501c3 nonprofit organization (#46-3764229). All donations are tax deductible and supporters will receive an NDF invoice for their records.

http://www.calaverasenterprise.com/community/article_3f5571ae-f74a-11e9-a289-e3990552ed08.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

California Avalanche Workshop

Nickolay Dodov Foundation is proud to be one of the sponsors for the California Avalanche Workshop. This is a great early season workshop for backcountry enthusiast. The California Avalanche Workshop is a preseason gathering of the backcountry tribe. This is an opportunity to learn from pros, analyze accidents, and network. To all of the  Backcountry Tribe please contact us. The Foundation will get you a ticket!  Join us for a great event! !!! The CAW runs from 9-5 on Saturday October 20th at the North Tahoe Event Center…. We are looking forward for it.. and to see you there!!!

“Bear Valley, CA Resident Teaching ‘Know Before You Go’ Avalanche Awareness to Californian Schools and Ski Resorts” SnowBrains Media-AvyBrains/September 10, 2018

We are reaching out with avalanche education in the light of our son who was killed in avalanche in Alaska

OUR Nick was killed in avalanche  on Thankin Ridge, Haines, Alaska on March 13, 2012. Nick was heli snowboarding under the supervision of Alaska Heli-skiing Company out of Haines. From our investigation we discovered that AH ignored obvious red flags. Recent five feet snow storm, wind storm over night prior to the avalanche and rapid warming. Profit over safety. AH didn’t follow any of its own safety protocols. The AH Company didn’t have drug screening policy. Nick’s guide Rob Liberman, who also died in the avalanche autopsy reveled that his THC levels were 3 times higher than normal background. Therefore he was stoned. Nick was buried under the snow for 1 hour and 27 minutes. Search and rescue began 47 minutes after the avalanche happened. Nick had an Avalung in his mouth, if they would recover Nick under 1 hour and 15 minutes he would survived. He also carried an Air backpack, unfortunately he couldn’t use it, the rip cord was zip in. The AH guides didn’t wear air backpacks and were talking sarcastically about them and quoting that when there time comes this is fine by them. This why they didn’t have the practice t check the readiness after get out of the helicopter. On the top of the fatale run the group of clients was insured that they should not worry everything will be fine this is just an open alpine bowl with rolling hills with steepness between 35-45*…. in considerable conditions. We have a go pro footage of the time frame from all the events and the witnesses stamens. There were two groups of clients and two guides at the scene. Only the two guides end four survivals from Nick group took place in the search and rescue.  After they recovered Nick he still had a heart beat, they didn’t fly Nick to the medical center, he was dropped at the base at AH , 33 miles from Haines to wait for Paramedic car… and the most cruel thing AH, Medical center, VOGA Insurance and the Trooper Department and Haines Bureau did  it was to cover up their mistakes by sending Nick to Seattle to die in another state to prevent investigation. AH didn’t file an accident report neither to the  of Alaska or to the National Avalanche Center until six month later and it was falsified. We started with free avalanche educational project with the hope that by educating the next generation we can prevent future fatalities

It is very hard to find the words to describe our lost.

Nickolay was not our only son, he was our best friend, our beast team made, our teacher in many ways. He was very special young man, his light was so bright, everyone who had the opportunity to know him, was amazed of his talents, wisdom, his big smile and huge heart, always ready to help everyone.

My husbands Alex and I with the help of good friends have started Nickolay Dodov Foundation four years ago… We started reaching out with free avalanche educational programs with the hope that by educating the next generation we can prevent future fatalities… and save lives!

The mission of the Foundation is to spread avalanche awareness to all who enjoy the snow mountains… but the most to our youth… Our Foundation is brought up from our love for Nick!… From our love for the mountains!… From our love for skiing in the backcountry!
In the last three years we have reached out with the avalanche awareness program KBYG to close to 6000 ski and snowboard athletes, middle, high school and university students, coaches, teachers and parents…..With the hope that by being able to reach out with avalanche education we will save lives!

The movement and the progress of reaching to youth with free avalanche education is so meaningful for us… feels like Nick is right next to us. … with his big beautiful smile….The Foundation gives Alex and me a huge powerful positive purpose…We are VERY THANKFUL to be connected with Karl Birkeland, Doug Chabot, Craig Gordon, Richard Bothwell, Bruce Tremper, Paul Diegel, Don Triplet and all avalanche educators… we feel like Nick is orchestrating it all.. Powerful good feeling!…We are so very passion about spreading avalanche education especially to youth…. we feel like all the kids we reach out to with KBYG are our kids now .. and we always will encourage them to go and play on the mountains…and will continue spread avalanche awareness and educate them to travel safe in the snow…especially to youth….together with our love for the mountains…for life… for hikes, skiing, snowboarding, windsurfing, skateboarding…sharing good moments… good food with friends..as our Nick did…

We live in a small ski resort Bear valley, California and we ride the mountain every given day. We have 100+ ski days … half of them in the backcountry… ALWAYS FIRST CHAIR on POWDER DAYS! My husband Alex was a professional athlete in ski and snowboarding, rock climbing and mountaineering. He was for two years in Mountain Alpine Division. We used to run private ski and snowboard school and Alex worked with the first heli ski company in Bulgaria. In the Summer time Alex had a Sky Genie business; working on sky scrapers, factory chimney, power towers and bridges using his climbing belaying skills. Our son Nick was a member of Bulgarian National Snowboard Team. He competed in the Junior World Cup in Telluride in 1999. After we moved to California, Nick competed in Tahoe Series, US National Series and US Open in slalom, boarder cross, slope style. For over seven years Nick was living in Truckee in the heart of the snowboard industry. He was sponsored by different companies, having 100+ snowboard days half of the days snowmobiling and split snowboarding backcountry adventures. Nick was very well know as a very good snowboarder and the one always looking for the safety for himself and everybody else. Nick was also an avid surfer and amazing artist…..We will continue to encourage and teach as many as we can to play on the snow and be safe!…We will continue our Foundation work in the light of our Nick!…www.nickolaydodovfoundation.com