Bozeman Level 1 Avalanche Course | Montana Alpine Guides

I completed your Level 1 Avalanche Course and it was a great; incredibly informative, awesome instructor, and super useful hands-on education. It significantly increased my confidence in my ability to ski safely in the backcountry.

Matthew Thompson

I completed your Level 1 Avalanche Course and it was a great; incredibly informative, awesome instructor, and super useful hands-on education. It significantly increased my confidence in my ability to ski safely in the backcountry. -Matthew Thompson

Description

MAG’s Level 1 Avalanche Course is for skiers and snow boarders looking to gain the skills and knowledge for safe backcountry travel. Our Level 1 Avalanche Course follows national guidelines set by the American Avalanche Association (AAA); including our instructors credentials, material covered, duration, classroom and field components. Our Level 1 Course is designed to provide students with the knowledge to confidently pursue backcountry ski terrain. After completion of our L1 course you will receive a card from MAG that lists your name, dates of course, & instructors name. As a AAA recognized educator your completion of our L1 course will be accepted by other avalanche educators if you wish to pursue you avalanche education to the Level 2, Pro 1 or Pro 2 levels.

LOCATIONS:

Classroom sessions- downtown Bozeman, MT

Field Courses- Gallatin Range, including a location near Bozeman and one in Yellowstone NP south of Big Sky. We select two separate geographic locations to provide students with a much more comprehensive environmental classroom than visiting the same general location each day. NOTE: Exact locations for field sessions are subject to change.

Experience: You do not need to be an advanced skier but should be familiar skiing a variety of snow conditions.

4-DAY ITINERARY:

Day 1 & 2 (Thursday & Friday, 6-9 pm)

Day 3 & 4 (Saturday & Sunday, ~8-5 pm),

3-DAY ITINERARY:

DAY 1-

8:30-12:30 Classroom Session- Bozeman, MT

1:30-5:30 Field Session- Gallatin Range

DAY 2-

7:30-12:30 Field Session- Gallatin Range

1:30-5:30 Classroom Session- Bozeman, MT

DAY 3-

7:00 am – 6:00pm – Full Day Field Session –

Meet at MAG, 11 Enterprise Blvd, Bozeman, MT 59718

(Drive to Yellowstone NP or Hyalite Canyon)

NOTE: Drive times loosely factored in.

Equipment List

Transceiver: MAG’s pick Mammut’s Barryvox Beacon
Shovel: MAG’s pick: Aligator Swivel
Probe: MAG’s pick: Mammut Prove 240 Fast lock
Backpack: MAG’s pick: Mammut Nirvana Pro
AT/Telemark Skis or Split-boards with skins
Helmet (optional)
Snow saw (recommended but not required)
6.5′ of 1mm cord for isolating snow columns
Slope Meter

NOTE: Order your gear in advance as few local shops carry all items.

Clothing:

Ski pants
Shell jacket
Insulated jacket (down or synthetic)
Fleece mid layer
Long underwear, mid-weight (top & bottom), synthetic or wool
Ski socks
Hat: fleece or wool that covers the ears
Gloves: a pair for skinning and a pair for digging pits and instruction
Neck gaiter/Buff

Miscellaneous:

Sunscreen
Chapstick
Sunglasses
Goggles
Camera/Phone
Small notebook & Pencil
Thermos: optional but nice to have (can replace water bottle)
Food for the day (enough snacks and lunch for each day)
Pen/Pencil and notebook for class time

Course Content

Avalanche types and anatomy
Basic slab mechanics Terrain
Terrain evaluation and route selection • Travel protocols & group communication
Snowpack and Weather
Mountain snowpack development leading to instability or stability • Field observations, tests and judging instability • Use of avalanche & snow pit tools: inclinometer, compass, probe, saw • Introduce elementary pit diagrams with hand hardness profiles, basic grain type symbols and stability tests. Expose to recording field notes. • Avalanche & snow climates
Decision-support Tools
Human factors and the need for systematic decision tools • Application & limitations of decision tools • Avalanche bulletins
Rescue
Companion rescue including scene size up, organization, beacon use, probing, shoveling • Recovery of victims not wearing beacons • Common mistakes in avalanche rescue • Single and multiple beacon search techniques • Role of first aid and emergency response in real avalanche rescues

Course Content follows guidelines established by American Avalanche Association