“What avalanche course should I take?” The sheer volume of options can make it difficult to answer this question with confidence, and the time required to sift through the options may deter some people from finding the best course for their specific needs.
To help you along in the process, the CAIC has created this page with information on:
A3 is a National non-profit that represents the interest of avalanche professionals. Their broad mission statement includes providing “direction for, promoting, and supporting avalanche education in the United States.” Their education committee sets guidelines for several tiers of avalanche education programs: 1) Avalanche Awareness, 2) Introduction to Avalanches, 3) Recue Clinics, 4) Level 1 5) Level 1 Refreshers and 6) Level 2. These guidelines establish minimum criteria for each program level. If a course carries a certain program name, such as “Level 1,” it should meet or exceed the A3 guidelines. Additionally, the A3 offers a “certified instructor” program. This term is used to describe individuals who submit a resume indicating they have taught avalanche courses for at least 10 years. A3 also runs the AvPro program for avalanche professionals and supports Continuing Professional Development programs run by other organizations.
AIARE is a National non-profit focused on avalanche education, with the mission “To save lives through avalanche education.” AIARE designs and annually updates curriculum for Awareness, Introduction to Avalanches, Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 courses. The curriculum is used by 50+ avalanche schools around the country, most of which are Guide Services, Ski Patrols, Colleges or Government Agencies. For all program levels, the AIARE curriculum meets or exceeds the A3 guidelines. In addition to providing curriculum, AIARE runs Instructor Training, Instructor Refresher and Continuing Professional Development courses. AIARE courses are taught by AIARE qualified instructors, who apply the curriculum to achieve specific student learning outcomes. AIARE courses may vary significantly in their course logistics, but the student outcomes should remain consistent from one course to the next.
The National Avalanche School (NAS) is the oldest avalanche school in the United States. It was founded as a training program for the USFS Snow Rangers and ski area personnel. It is currently run by the National Avalanche Foundation and National Ski Areas Association. The NAS is a two-phase program. Phase one is a 5 day classroom program. Phase two is a 4 day field and classroom program. Students must complete both phases to complete the school. The phases of the NAS do not correspond to Level 1 or Level 2 descriptors. This school runs a complete program in one winter season every other year. The NAS instructional staff consists of some of the most experienced avalanche workers in the industry. For more information see the NAS website
The CAC / CAA are Canadian non-profits with shared organizational structures. In Canada, all avalanche education is overseen by the CAC / CAA umbrella. The CAC focuses on public education, both through avalanche courses and forecasting. The CAA focuses on professional training. The Canadian system differentiates between public (CAC) and professional (CAA) training. The CAC Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 & Level 2 courses are targeted towards backcountry recreation. The CAA Avalanche Operations Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 courses are targeted towards professionals. The Canadian and American programs are not interchangeable. The CAC offers an online avalanche course.
The list below explains many of the common types of avalanche courses offered in the US. There are courses offered that are not listed.
An awareness course is typically an indoor lecture or workshop. The topics addressed may be broad ranging or quite specific. Generally awareness courses are free and open to the public. There are no instructor qualifications. There are no pre-requisites.
These “short” courses usually include several hours of class time with at least a half-day of field time. Generally these courses are directed towards helping backcountry travelers understand more about avalanche risk and how to manage it. Often college groups, outing clubs, ski areas or other organizations will offer these fairly inexpensive and short courses to educate backcountry (or side-country) travelers who want to understand the basics of managing avalanche risk. Instructors may be experienced recreationalists or avalanche professionals. There are no pre-requisites.
Requiring at least 24 hours of instruction, half of which must come in the field, a Level 1 course is designed to provide a solid foundation for making decisions in avalanche terrain. All “Level 1’s” must meet the A3 guidelines. The quality of your experience on a Level 1 will depend upon the instructors, the venue, the curriculum, and your attitude, amongst other factors. Generally, a Level 1 is considered the base level of education to take before venturing off to make decisions about where, when and how to ride in un-controlled avalanche terrain. Awareness and Intro courses will often point people towards a Level 1 course as a starting point for gathering experience in avalanche terrain. For many backcountry travelers, a Level 1 will be the highest level of formal avalanche education necessary for a long and safe backcountry career. Instructors are generally avalanche professionals, or highly experienced recreationalists. The only pre-requisite is the ability to travel in avalanche terrain.
A Level 1 refresher, also known as an Avalanche Skills Advancement Workshop (ASAW), provides the opportunity to refresh your avalanche knowledge and skills, as well as building on your experiences gained since your Level 1. Generally, Level 1 course providers run these programs. For many backcountry travelers, a Level 1 Refresher may be a more appropriate choice than moving on to a Level 2 course. The L1 Refresher is usually field based, with small student ratios. Little new educational content is added during a L1 Refresher. The goal is to revisit and implement a Level 1 decision-making process with additional personal experience and with expert guidance. In short, the L1 Refresher is an opportunity for feedback from an experienced professional. Given that premise, consider seeking out the most qualified and seasoned Refresher instructors.
4 day Level 2 courses go above and beyond the needs of many backcountry travelers. The Level 2 program is focused on developing the knowledge and skills of a snow, weather and avalanche observer. Avalanche professionals and advanced recreationalists looking to build a foundation for understanding and tracking the snowpack variation over terrain will find just what they need at a Level 2. Whereas the Level 1 course encourages students to use the avalanche bulletin as their primary source to understand snow instability, the Level Two introduces the process of forming opinions about snow instability based on direct observation. The level 2 is not an avalanche forecasters course, nor will one learn the process of forecasting, but it does introduces the snowpack knowledge and observational skill to identify current conditions. Instructors for Level 2 courses are avalanche professionals. A Level 1 is a pre-requisite for a Level 2.
These programs are usually scheduled one-on-one with an avalanche forecaster in preparation for further training, either a Level 3 or AvPro course. The leading edge of snowpack observation skills changes with current research. Individuals looking to get current prior to their Level 3 programs may seek out these programs. Since these programs are essentially a Level 3 preparatory course, Level 3 instructors usually run these programs. These programs may also be called a Level 3 Primer or SWAG module (named for the document that details observation guidelines in the US).
This 8-day program run by the A3 introduces many of the same observation skills and snow physics knowledge components of a Level Two, but adds an introduction to common avalanche mitigation practices, an advanced rescue session and a session on communicating with the media. An AvPro candidate must have taken either a Level 2 course or both phases of the NAS program. Basic transceiver competency and the ability to travel up and downhill in avalanche terrain are also required. Like the NAS, ski area employees, as well as other developing avalanche professionals are the target audience. This program is Pass/Fail. Instructors should have professional avalanche forecasting and/or avalanche mitigation experience.
7-day Level 3 programs build on the foundation laid during the Level 2 programs. Avalanche professionals such as ski patrollers, guides and forecasters, or expert recreationalists with professional skills, apply for this program following at least a year of applied experience since their Level 2. Like AvPro, Level 3 courses cover avalanche research topics, advanced rescue, avalanche mitigation components and significant time in the terrain making decisions. Unlike AvPro, the professional observation standards are introduced in a prior course (Level 2) and documentation showing applied experience of those skills is a pre-requisite. Level 3’s focus on applying those previously honed observation skills to gain mentored experience using an operational forecasting process. This program is Pass / Fail. Instructors should have professional avalanche forecasting and/or avalanche mitigation experience.
Special topics are frequently addressed in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) workshops. The CAIC works with AIARE and A3 to offer a variety of CPD courses on topics such as Mountain Weather, Wet Snow, Avalanche Rescue etc. Additionally, the CAIC hosts a full-day workshop each fall – the Colorado Snow and Avalanche Workshop (CSAW). These seminars are usually taught at a level appropriate for advanced recreationalists or professionals.
As part of our mission, the CAIC provides education to the
public. In general, the CAIC tries to focus on Avalanche
Awareness programs and Professional Seminars. Examples include:
Contact the CAIC Boulder office (303-499-9650). Courses are scheduled on a first come first serve basis. In general we will invoice the host organization to cover our expenses to prepare, travel, and instruct. The more lead-time you can offer prior to your course, the greater the possibility we can accommodate your need.
Any avalanche course that meets one of the following
three criteria may be listed on the CAIC class calendar:
