Motorized Avalanche Rec Level 1

by Clare

Develop essential skills for snowmobiling in avalanche terrain including trip planning, hazard management, group communication, and terrain choice. This curriculum is designed specifically to meet the needs of motorized users. With one evening/midweek classroom session and a weekend field day, this course offers 24 hours of instruction time.

Classroom sessions (evening Zoom): Tuesday, January 23 and Wednesday, January 24
Field sessions: Saturday, January 27 and Sunday, January 28

Locations TBD on Flathead National Forest. Information and directions will be provided to students before the course date.

Using the AIARE Risk Management Framework, our Motorized Level 1 emphasizes riding time and covers topics such as avalanche rescue techniques and equipment; preparation, planning, and execution of a backcountry ride based on avalanche conditions; how to track the season’s snowpack and interpret an avalanche bulletin; avalanche terrain identification, hazard mitigation and safe travel techniques; and weather, snowpack, and stability analysis. This is an essential course for any backcountry rider.

 

Offered with The Mountain Riding Lab

Partner Rescue: Motorized

by Clare

Are you confident in your ability to rescue your backcountry partners in the event of an avalanche? These skills are perishable and important to practice every winter, as well as throughout the season. During the morning portion of this clinic, you will rotate between stations practicing the three key pieces of rescue gear: beacon, shovel, and probe. In the afternoon, we’ll put your skills to the test with a mock companion rescue, including a debrief.

This partner rescue clinic will focus on avalanche rescue skills for small recreational groups. Expect outside lectures, combined with hands on training. A rescue clinic focuses on avalanche rescue skills for small recreational groups.

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 must have your own registered snowmobile/snowbike that is in good working order.