Education
We teach courses throughout Southeast Alaska during the avalanche season. Our current 2009-2010 schedule is below. Please check back often for updates.
February 2010
Alaska Heliskiing Avalanche Courses
These heliguides courses, taught through Alaska Heliskiing, are a series of specialized professional-oriented avalanche training courses parallel to but outside the conventional American Avalanche Association (AAA) Level 1 to 3 course progression. Heliskiing requires more rigorous training than the usual course series allows for.
Heliguides Avalanche 2
Juneau
February 2-7
Heliguides Avalanche 2 is a 51-hour course oriented to preparing serious working guides to take an AMGA-recognized Level 3 the following year. It is equivalent to a AAA Level 3, plus the AMGA-prerequisite SWAG module. We have taken pains to make the format complement and expand on the AMGA Level 3 so that they will not just be repeats of each other. To register, please contact us.
Download a course description (PDF).
Heliguides Avalanche 1
Haines
February 15-19
February 21-25
Heliguides Avalanche 1 is a 42-hour course that begins at the introductory level like a conventional Level 1 but goes into far more depth, covering much of the material in a conventional Level 2. It is equivalent to a AAA Level 1.5.
Download a course description (PDF).
March-April 2010
Level 1
Skagway, Alaska
March 2-6
This is a very thorough Level 1 course that meets and exceeds the requirements set by the American Avalanche Association. Depending on site-specific transportation logistics, it runs 38 to 42 hours, as compared with the AAA minimum requirement of 24 hours. We use a longer format because we have found that people cannot absorb and retain the amount of information they need in a shorter course.
Download a course description (PDF).
Contact:
Avalanche Evaluation and Theory Level 2
University of Alaska Southeast
March 9-21
An advanced recreational or introductory course in avalanche theory, forecasting and rescue. Topics include leadership and decision making, field stability and evaluation techniques, weather, steeps and sluff management, advanced route finding, group snow pit and fracture profiles. The course combines in-class and field oriented backcountry experience. For more information, contact University of Alaska Southeast.
Avalanche Evaluation and Theory Level 1
University of Alaska Southeast
March 23 - April 4
An intensive course of avalanche study covering rescue, terrain analysis, snow study and stability evaluation, route finding, decision making, and safe travel. Combines both in-class and field oriented backcountry experience as required course components. For more information, contact University of Alaska Southeast.