Recreational Level 1 Avalanche Course

Learn from the Pros

The backcountry is always telling us a story–are you listening?  Reading winter’s narrative written across mountain slopes by managing avalanche hazards–and finding the best snow–is both a learned skill and a practiced art.

Silverton Avalanche School’s Recreational Level One Avalanche Course at the International Mountain Climbing School introduces backcountry climbers, skiers, and snowboarders to ritualized planning, observations and assessments, and highlights the critical importance of “Reading the Story of Winter” each and every day to manage risk when traveling in the mountains.

In this course, students engage in hands-on curriculum designed to develop an understanding and application of tools to help navigate or avoid avalanche terrain.

Our curriculum is based on national guidelines published by the American Avalanche Association, and covers the following topics and more:

• Using a Silverton Avalanche School (SAS) field book to ritualize the planning process of venturing into the backcountry
• The Avalanche Triangle—understanding the interplay of snowpack, weather, terrain and YOU.
• Understanding and applying the local avalanche and weather forecast.
• Avalanche rescue introduction and a deep dive into rescue tools.
• Using digital mapping platforms to plan and execute a backcountry tour.
• Applying knowledge of where avalanches occur to macro and micro scale terrain.
• Field observations and tracking critical changes.
• Human dynamics and avoiding heuristic traps.
• Time planning and emergency resources.

Managing avalanche hazard and backcountry skills development are lifelong pursuits. We provide guidance to students on how to continue their education both institutional and independent following completion of the Level 1 course.

Equipment

Students are encouraged to bring and use their own avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel so that you can gain proficiency with your equipment. If you do not have your own, students will be provided with this equipment to use during the course. All students receive a handbook to take home and use for future backcountry tours. You can find the list of recommended personal items on our gear list. 

Course Outline

Day One: Meet at IMCS at 8:30 a.m. and begin with a participation-forward classroom session. We will introduce the avalanche triangle,  Snowpack, Weather, and the Human Factor–the fundamental factors that contribute to avalanches and our ability to manage avalanche hazard. Mid-day, we head outside to learn the tools and fundamentals of successful companion rescue and practice these skills in the field.

Day Two: Meet at IMCS at 8:30 a.m. Deep dive into forecast resources, incident review and digital mapping, all while utilizing the SAS field book. Go on a backcountry tour with the goal of getting some field observations of weather, snowpack and terrain.

Day Three: Meet at IMCS at 8:30 a.m. Short session to finalize student-led tours. Then–go into the backcountry! The course culminates with a 4-6 hour backcountry tour and a course debrief by 4-4:30 p.m.

Who Should Take This Course?

This course is for anyone who would like to, or currently ventures into or near avalanche terrain. The Recreational Level 1 Avalanche Course is a prerequisite for enrolling in more advanced avalanche education courses.

Participants receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course with full attendance and competency which can be used when applying for more advanced recreational or professional courses.

Participants must be physically capable of traveling 2,000-4,000 vertical feet two days in a row and equipped with the experience and gear to manage full days in the field with potentially harsh winter conditions near or above treeline.