Josh Hirshberg

Avalanche specialist

Josh is an avalanche specialist who has worked at NWAC (Northwest Avalanche Center) since 2018. Josh is responsible for forecasting avalanches and gathering snow and avalanche observations for the Central Cascades in Washington state. He believes in helping backcountry travelers make informed decisions in the snow-covered mountains. He is passionate about distilling snow, weather, and avalanche conditions into practical travel advice for all users. Josh holds a Level 3 AIARE avalanche certification. He’s also a certified ski guide and single pitch instructor with the American Mountain Guides Association. Josh has a B.A. from Prescott College. He is on the pro instructor and trainer pools for the American institute for Avalanche Research and Education. Josh has been forecasting avalanches since 2005. When he’s not working in the snow, Josh enjoys climbing, biking, photography, spending time with his son, and supporting diverse communities.