Intro to Avalanches: Human-Powered

3/6/24 UPDATE: THIS COURSE HAS BEEN CANCELED. CONTACT EDUCATION@FLATHEADAVALANCHE.ORG FOR MORE INFO

This course is an opportunity to get your hands in the snow and gain familiarity with essential concepts and practices for travel in avalanche-prone terrain. This course offers 11 hours of instruction time, with a midweek evening classroom session at FVCC on Thursday, March 7 and a field day at WMR on Saturday, March 9. We will cover avalanche terminology, identifying avalanche hazards, snowpack and weather factors, trip planning and preparation, simple decision-making tools, backcountry travel protocols, and companion rescue techniques.

Transportation is on your own. Dress appropriately for all weather conditions. Provide your own lunch. You are required to have a fully operational modern avalanche transceiver (457kHz), an avalanche shovel (no plastic blades) and an avalanche probe. You are required to have downhill (or backcountry) skis or snowboard with appropriate bindings. You do not need a splitboard or climbing skins for this course.