Level 1 Avalanche Courses

BOZEMAN, BIG SKY, COOKE CITY

The Montana Alpine Guides Level 1 Avalanche Course provides a practical foundation for traveling in avalanche terrain. Students develop essential skills in avalanche hazard recognition, terrain evaluation, trip planning, decision-making, and companion rescue through a combination of classroom learning and hands-on field instruction.

Offered in Bozeman, Big Sky, and Cooke City, our Level 1 courses meet the standards established by the American Avalanche Association (A3), including instructor qualifications, curriculum, course duration, and classroom and field components.

Make the most of your backcountry touring education this winter by bundling our Level 1 Avalanche Course with the Intro to Backcountry Touring course for $850! Save $100 with this deal and enrich your Level 1 Avalanche Course with more helpful techniques for proficient backcountry travel. Together these programs give students all the necessary skills to travel in simple to challenging backcountry terrain with team members of equal or greater training.

- Classroom sessions – Online Learning at your own location and pace with a 1-2 hour Zoom review prior to your field days.
- Field courses – Mountain Ranges near Bozeman & Big Sky. Field days for Cooke City based programs will be held in and around Cooke City. If possible we select two separate geographic locations to provide students with a much more comprehensive environmental classroom than visiting the same general location each day.
- After completion of our L1 Course, you will receive a card from MAG that lists your name, dates of course, and instructors’ names. As a AAA-recognized educator, your completion of our L1 course will be accepted by other avalanche educators if you wish to pursue your avalanche education to the Level 2, Pro 1, or Pro 2 levels.
You do not need to be an advanced skier but you should be familiar with skiing a variety of snow conditions.
- Two Full Field Days (8am-5pm)
- 8 hours of online learning with evening Zoom session prior to field days
- Experienced AAA recognized instructor(s)
- 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 Level 1 Avalanche 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.