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

Silverton Avalanche School’s Recreational Level One Avalanche Course introduces backcountry skiers and snowboarders to ways to ritualize planning, observations and assessments, and highlights the critical importance of "Reading the Story of Winter" each and every day to minimize risk when traveling in the mountains. 

In SAS’s three day Recreational Level One, students will 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 SAS field book to ritualize the planning process.

• The Avalanche Triangle; understanding the interplay of snowpack, weather, terrain and YOU.

• Understanding and applying the 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.

• Fundamentals of backcountry movement.

• Time planning and emergency resources.

Our staff are all AMGA trained or Certified Ski and Splitboard guides with many years working as educators, and as passionate practitioners of seeking backcountry turns. The course will provide a mentorship atmosphere, as well as a student-led tour to culminate on day three.

Course Outline

Day One: Meet in the classroom at 8 a.m. and begin with a participation-forward classroom session, with an intro to avalanches, weather and the human factor. Head out mid-day to practice avalanche rescue.

Day Two: Meet in the classroom at 8 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 in the classroom at 8 a.m. Short session to finalize student-led tours in groups. Then–go skiing! The course will end with a 4-6 backcountry tour and a course debrief by 4-4:30 p.m.

SAS is permitted to operate on public lands with the USFS and BLM. 

For any questions, more information, or to book a custom course, CONTACT US.