Education

We teach avalanche and now kiting courses throughout Southeast Alaska and in Japan. Check the Gallery pages for avalanche course and kiting photos.

You will find our course handouts, field resources, and useful links on avalanches and kiting on the course handouts and resources page.

Our current 2011-2012 draft schedule is below. Please check back for updates.

December 2011

Avalanche Evaluation and Theory Level 1
University of Alaska Southeast
December 1 - 5

This UAS class, taught by AAS staff, is an intensive course of avalanche study covering rescue, terrain analysis, snow study and stability evaluation, route finding, decision making, and safe travel. Intensive format begins with evening classroom session on first day, followed by four full days of classroom and fieldwork. For registration and information, contact University of Alaska Southeast. and be sure to study the course handouts, syllabus, and resources prior to the course.

Avalanche Skills Training I (Japanese)
Evergreen Outdoor Center, Hakuba, Nagano, Japan
December 30-31

This is the short CAA course, or the first part of the long course. We recommend going for the long one if you possibly can. These courses in Japan are through Evergreen Outdoor Center, with Bill Glude of AAS assisting Evergreen owner Dave Enright. Dave with his fluent Japanese does the classroom sessions, while Bill with his beginning Japanese does field teaching along with Dave. To sign up, contact Evergreen.

January 2012

Avalanche Skills Training I (English)
Evergreen Outdoor Center, Hakuba, Nagano, Japan
January 7-8

Avalanche Skills Training II (English)
Evergreen Outdoor Center, Hakuba, Nagano, Japan
January 7-11

This is the long CAA course, the one we recommend. These courses in Japan are through Evergreen Outdoor Center, with Bill Glude of AAS assisting Evergreen owner Dave Enright. To sign up, contact Evergreen.

February 2012

Avalanche Skills Training I (English)
Evergreen Outdoor Center, Hakuba, Nagano, Japan
February 4-5

Avalanche Skills Training II (English)
Evergreen Outdoor Center, Hakuba, Nagano, Japan
February 4-5 and 11-13

Avalanche Skills Training I (Japanese)
Evergreen Outdoor Center, Hakuba, Nagano, Japan
February 18-19

Avalanche Skills Training II (Japanese)
Evergreen Outdoor Center, Hakuba, Nagano, Japan
February 18-22

This is the long CAA course, the one we recommend. These courses in Japan are through Evergreen Outdoor Center, with Bill Glude of AAS assisting Evergreen owner Dave Enright. Dave with his fluent Japanese does the classroom sessions, while Bill with his beginning Japanese does field teaching along with Dave. To sign up, contact Evergreen.

Heliguides 1 Avalanche Course
Haines, Alaska Heliskiing
February 24-29

After teaching this course for some 15 years, Bill Glude has finally passed it on this year to his capable and well-trained assistants, Kent Scheler and John Bressette. The Heliguides Avalanche 1 course 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 an American Avalanche Association Level 1.5. For registration, information, and exact schedule, contact Alaska Helisking. We are leaving last year's materials on the Course Handouts page and highly recommend carefully studying them prior to class.

March 2012

Avalanche Skills Training I (English)
Evergreen Outdoor Center, Hakuba, Nagano, Japan
March 10-11

This is the short CAA course, or the first part of the long course. We recommend going for the long one if you possibly can. These courses in Japan are through Evergreen Outdoor Center. Bill Glude will be back in Alaska so won't be teaching at this one, but it will still be a good course. To sign up, contact Evergreen.

Avalanche Skills Training II (English)
Evergreen Outdoor Center, Hakuba, Nagano, Japan
March 10-14

This is the long CAA course, the one we recommend. These courses in Japan are through Evergreen Outdoor Center. Bill Glude will be back in Alaska so won't be teaching at this one, but it will still be a good course. To sign up, contact Evergreen.

Avalanche Evaluation and Theory Level 2
University of Alaska Southeast
March 12 - 18

This UAS class, taught by AAS staff, is an advanced recreational or introductory level professional 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. Intensive format begins with evening classroom session on first day, followed by six full days of classroom and fieldwork. The course combines in-class and field oriented backcountry experience. For registration and information, contact University of Alaska Southeast. and be sure to study the course handouts, syllabus, and resources prior to the course. Notice: As of early February, enrollment in this course is still below the UAS minimum. Help us spread the word if you want to see it happen!

Avalanche Skills Training I (Japanese)
Evergreen Outdoor Center, Hakuba, Nagano, Japan
March 17-18

This is the short CAA course, or the first part of the long course. We recommend going for the long one if you possibly can. These courses in Japan are through Evergreen Outdoor Center. Dave with his fluent Japanese will teach this course. Bill Glude will be back in Alaska so will not be helping teach this one, but it will be a great course. To sign up, contact Evergreen.

Avalanche Skills Training II (Japanese)
Evergreen Outdoor Center, Hakuba, Nagano, Japan
March 17-21

This is the long CAA course, the one we recommend. These courses in Japan are through Evergreen Outdoor Center, with Bill Glude of AAS assisting Evergreen owner Dave Enright. Dave with his fluent Japanese will teach this course. Bill Glude will be back in Alaska so will not be helping teach this one, but it will be a great course. To sign up, contact Evergreen.

Avalanche Evaluation and Theory Level 1
University of Alaska Southeast
March 22 - 26

Introduction to Snowkiting Camp
University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau & Skagway
March 30 - April 2

This UAS class, taught by AAS staff, is a new offering this year. It is geared to taking intermediate or better skiers and snowboarders who have never snowkited before to basic proficiency in snowkiting. It is an intensive format that begins with an evening classroom session in Juneau, followed by a ferry and van trip to Skagway's White Pass for four days of mostly field time, with classroom sessions on the ferry and informal sessions in the evenings. We return by late ferry on the final night. For registration and information, contact University of Alaska Southeast. and be sure to study the course handouts, syllabus, and resources prior to the course.

April 2012

Level 2 Avalanche Course
Skagway, Alaska
April 3-7

This is an advanced recreational or introductory level professional 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. Intensive format begins with evening classroom session on first day, followed by four long days of classroom and fieldwork. This course is being taught for the Skagway Fire Department, but some slots may be open for public participants.Cost is not set at this time but should be in the neighborhood of $575. For registration and information, Call Colin Aikman at (907) 983-2450. Be sure to study the course handouts, syllabus, and resources prior to the course.

As of early February, signups are below the UAS minimum for this course, so help recruit more folks if you want to see this one happen!

May 2012

Juneau Icefield Snowkite Trip
May 3-7

This is not a formal event, but every spring a bunch of snowkiters, friends, and prospective kiters make a five-day basecamp trip to the Juneau Icefield. We bring our trainers and demo kites for people to try, and coach folks who are new to kiting. Contact us in the spring during the weeks before the trip for details.

Kite Demo Days
Haines & Skagway
Dates TBA

Always wanted to try kiteboarding but not sure if you are ready to do a kiteboard camp yet? We will do an informal weekend kite demo trip to Haines and Skagway again in the early summer. We’ll have trainer kites for new folks to start with, free coaching for those who want to try water kiting, and demo gear - Ozone kites, DaKine harnesses, and Xenon boards - for experienced kiters to try out. Rain or shine; we will be there ready for the breeze. The water kiting course handouts are recommended reading if you want to get the most out of our limited coaching time.

May - June 2012

Introductory Kiteboard Camp
Juneau & Skagway
Dates TBA

Juneau does not have reliable-enough wind to schedule kiting classes, but by going to Skagway for a four day weekend, we can take students who have never water kited before to basic proficiency in kiteboarding. We will probably start with an evening classroom session in Juneau, followed by a ferry trip to Skagway's Dyea Flats for four days of mostly-field time, with classroom sessions on the ferry and informal sessions in the evenings. We return by late ferry on the final night. Cost will be in the $1200 ballpark for twenty-plus hours of instruction, and use of our gear. If demand permits, we may add a second session. For registration and information, contact the Alaska Avalanche Specialists office. You will want to be sure to study the course handouts, syllabus, and resources prior to the course.

July 2012

Kite Demo Days
Haines & Skagway
Dates TBA

Always wanted to try kiteboarding but not sure if you are ready to do a kiteboard camp yet? We will do a second informal weekend kite demo trip to Haines and Skagway around the Haines Fair weekend. We’ll have trainer kites for new folks to start with, free coaching for those who want to try water kiting, and demo gear - Ozone kites, DaKine harnesses, and Xenon boards - for experienced kiters to try out. Rain or shine; we will be there ready for the breeze. The water kiting course handouts are recommended reading if you want to get the most out of our limited coaching time.

August 2012

Introduction to Kiteboarding Camp
University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau & Skagway
Dates TBA

This UAS kiteboarding camp, taught by AAS staff, is another new offering we are considering this year. It may end up under the UAS programs, or may be run independently by AAS. It is geared to taking students who have never water kited before to basic proficiency in kiteboarding. It is an intensive format that begins with an evening classroom session in Juneau, followed by a ferry and van trip to Skagway's Dyea Flats for four days of mostly field time, with classroom sessions on the ferry and informal sessions in the evenings. We return by late ferry on the final night.