Learn to explore the backcountry safely with our avalanche training classes. The classes offer training for every level of backcountry user (including aspiring ski mountaineering guides seeking certification from the American Mountain Guides Association). Our classes feature experienced instructors specially trained by the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education, PowerPoint presentations, small classes and information on the latest research throughout the USA.

Avalanche Awareness Class
This 2-3 hour evening-session is for all ages who want to know a little about avalanches. It is a introduction to the backcountry world and understanding the phenomena of avalanches. We introduce you to the avalanche forecast bulletin and teach you how to read and understand it. You will learn the basic framework of decision making to stay out of trouble. This a great course for your teenagers to get their attention and show them how to stay out of trouble. A must for newcomers to Park City's winter season.
DATES: November 13, 2007, November 28, 2007, December 18, 2007, January 2, 2008
COST: $10.00

Level I Avalanche Course
A must for everyone who travels in the backcountry in the Wasatch. This three day, 24 hour per day course emphasizes awareness and avoidance of avalanche terrain. We teach and provide a checklist for basic decision-making strategies. The course includes travel techniques, basic rescue procedures and information that should be known by anyone traveling with or without a guide in the backcountry. Students can expect to develop a good grounding in how to prepare for and carry out a trip, to understand the basic decision making, and learn to rescue a buried person (if an avalanche occurs and someone in the party is caught). This course includes both classroom and field work and is based in the Park City area.
DATES: Novemeber 30, 2007-December 2, 2007, December 14, 2007-December 16, 2007, January 4, 2008-January 6, 2008, January 15, 2008-January 17, 2008, February 1, 2008-February 3, 2008, February 29, 2008-March 3, 2008
COST: $235.00
Click here to download the AIARE Level 1 description.

Level II
This four-day course emphasizes field observations and documentation. It provides technical and scientific information that improves participants' understanding of how and why avalanches occur, covers the factors that indicate and affect snow stability, and introduces snow stability analysis and the forecasting process. Formal snow pit observations and recording guidelines are emphasized.
Much of this course will take place in the classroom to cover the standards but also to help you make decisions for safe travel in avalanche terrain. This course is for serious backcountry enthusiasts, ski and mountain guides and ski patrollers.
DATES: February 11, 2008-February 14, 2008
COST: $495.00
Click here to download the AIARE Level 2 description.

Level III
This 5-day course, run by AIARE, has been designed primarily for ski and mountain guides and meets the AMGA prerequisite for candidates seeking to enter ski mountaineering and alpine certification exams. Of course all enthusiastic backcountry travelers can join the course to further educate themselves. This course continues from Level II in recording stability analyses as well as forecasting in the international recording standard, as well as operational planning and decision making in complex terrain and group management situations.
DATES: February 17, 2008-February 22, 2008 at Snowbasin COST:$1100.00
Click here to download the AIARE Level 3 description.

To sign up or for more information on these courses please call us at (435) 649-8710 or stop by our retail store located at 1790 Bonanza Dr.