Avalanche Rescue Course

EDUCATIONAL COURSE

This one day course focuses on the basics of avalanche rescue – absolutely crucial skills for anyone spending time in avalanche terrain, from skiers to snowmobilers to ice climbers. After a short classroom session, we will spend the rest of the day in the field, working on rescue systems as individuals, and as a group.

This course is also a prerequisite for continuing to more advanced courses, such as a Recreational Level 2, or a Professional Level 1. Our course follows American Avalanche Association Guidelines for Avalanche Rescue including instructors’ credentials, material covered, duration, & classroom/field components.

MAG’s 1-day stand alone Avalanche Rescue Course is a hands-on program recognized by the American Avalanche Association (A3). Combined with one of our Level 1 Avalanche Courses you will be well prepared for a winter in the backcountry.
Our Avalanche Rescue Course is designed to develop essential companion rescue skills for backcountry travelers and meets prerequisites for students seeking to take a Level 2 or Pro 1 Avalanche Course. Through realistic field scenarios, participants practice avalanche transceiver searches, probing, strategic shoveling, and effective team rescue techniques. Ideal for both new and experienced backcountry users, this course builds the skills and confidence needed to respond quickly and efficiently in an avalanche emergency.
ON SELECT DATES COMBINE our 1-day Avalanche Rescue Course and a 2-day Wilderness First Aid Course with Aerie Backcountry Medicine.
This course is designed for anyone who travels in or near avalanche terrain, including backcountry skiers, splitboarders, snowboarders, snowmobilers, mountaineers, and ice climbers. Suitable for both beginners and experienced backcountry travelers, it is ideal for those looking to develop, refresh, or improve their avalanche rescue skills. No prior avalanche education is required.
Topics Covered in Avalanche Rescue Course:
- Avalanche basics and rescue priorities
- Rescue scene organization and leadership
- Avalanche transceiver use and search strategy
- Probing techniques and pinpointing
- Strategic shoveling methods
- Full companion rescue scenarios
This three day combined Wilderness First Aid and Avalanche Rescue course is a unique offering for those wishing to learn or refresh their skills for unburying a victim caught in an avalanche and providing first aid to a patient in the winter backcountry setting. Winter emergency scenarios, especially avalanche burials, are often complex, the skills learned in this course will prepare students to respond to these emergencies in the backcountry with confidence. Not only will students learn and practice medical skills, they will review and practice using a beacon, shovel and probe to perform avalanche rescues. This course will finish with putting all the skills together where students will be asked to perform a multiple avalanche burial scenario as a team and perform patient care as part of the avalanche rescue scenario.
What’s Included
- Aerie Backcountry Medicine Wilderness Medicine Textbook 15th Edition
- Aerie provided First Aid Kits for Practice/Scenarios, to be returned at the emd of class.
What’s Not Included
- CPR Certification (class available with Aerie Backcountry Medicine for $70) – We strongly recommend to sign up for a CPR course outside of this class
Itinerary
- Day 1 WFA with AERIE
  - 8:00am – Meet at classroom venue/introductions
  - 8:30am – Begin WFA Curriculum
  - 12:00pm – One Hour Lunch
  - 1:00pm – Resume WFA Curriculum, be prepared for scenarios outside
  - 4:45pm – Wrap up Day 1
- Day 2 WFA with AERIE
  - 8:00am – Meet at classroom venue
  - 8:15am – Resume WFA Curriculum, be prepared for outside scenarios
  - 12:00pm - One Hour Lunch
  - 1:00pm – Resume WFA Curriculum, be prepared for outside scenarios
  - 4:30pm – Wrap up WFA and preview Plan for Day 3
- Day 3 Avalanche Rescue with MAG
  - 8:00am – Meet your MAG guide in Bozeman, brief classroom session
  - 9:00am-5:00pm – Field course in the mountains
https://www.aeriemedicine.com/courses/4360/
There are no formal prerequisites.
Students traveling on ski touring or splitboard equipment should be comfortable moving in winter terrain and managing their own gear. Familiarity with your avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe is helpful but not required.
- AAA certified Avalanche Safety Instructor
- American Avalanche Association approved course material
- Food, water, transport, lodging
- Backcountry ski/snowboard gear, avalanche safety gear, technical clothing, backpack, etc.
- Rescue insurance
- Trip insurance
- Guide gratuity
- Unforeseen expenses from circumstances outside of Montana Alpine Guides’ control
Please see our Avalanche Rescue Course Equipment List for the required equipment for this trip.
Avalanche safety gear (beacon, shovel, probe) and backpack may be rented from MAG for $65/day. Rentals must be coordinated in advance as our inventory is limited.
Please see our Registration, Cancellation, and Refund Policies.