STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

The City of Ketchum and Sawtooth Avalanche Center cut the ribbon on a new Beacon Park at Atkinson Park Friday afternoon.

The project is designed for backcountry enthusiasts to practice simulated avalanche searches.

The wireless beacon training park contains buried transmitters and targets that can be set up for single or multiple buried scenarios. Using their own beacons, shovels and probes, participants can practice finding a “victim” buried in the snow.

The Beacon Park is free and open to the public. It is located on the outfield of the lower softball field at Atkinson Park and is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week during winter.