MISSION
Silverton Avalanche School’s mission is to equip recreational and professional students with the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary to make informed decisions in hazardous mountain terrain, thereby aiming to prevent accidents and fatalities.
VISION & VALUES
Our Roots are Rescue; SAS is the oldest, continuously operating avalanche training and snow safety program in the US. In 2026, we celebrate 64 years of operation!
Building on this legacy, SAS distinguishes itself through its partnership with the American Avalanche Association, delivering PRO, REC, and RESCUE training nationwide. Our administration and faculty are uniquely involved in creating and leading US-based avalanche education courses.
SAS’s influence extends globally as a voting delegate of the International Commission for Alpine Rescue (ICAR) since 2016—an exclusive position among US organizations. Our collaborations with the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) and as an inaugural member of mountainsafety.info uniquely position SAS as the premier US training organization actively shaping global snow and avalanche safety standards.
This international engagement shapes our commitment to educational excellence. SAS’s faculty consists of seasoned professionals with decades of experience in the field, management, and leadership. We are "where the Snow Pros go!" We serve as a laboratory of best practices, continually advancing tools, technologies, and techniques while reporting, writing, publishing, and speaking about our contributions to 21st-century avalanche education and mountain rescue.
Driven by this expertise, SAS stands out by offering hands-on, experiential methods, guided inquiry, and student-led field exercises designed specifically for winter travel in diverse terrains and venues. Our deep experience in varied environments and unwavering commitment to quality education uniquely position us to deliver exceptional learning experiences.
Looking ahead, our pioneering vision shapes all levels of winter training and avalanche education. We are home to the industry's top educators, including internationally certified guides, published avalanche researchers, lead resort safety directors, experienced avalanche forecasters, and career professional rescuers. We deliver unmatched creativity and instructional excellence through innovative hands-on lessons, immersive field labs, realistic scenarios, and high-fidelity real-world simulations. As the school that defined US snow safety training in the 20th century, we continue to set the standard for rigorous, comprehensive training and curriculum.