Avalanche Education
Winter Courses
Over the years, our avalanche courses have gained the reputation for being the most comprehensive and the best fit for the serious backcountry skier or snowboarder. We place strong emphasis on developing an eye for avalanche terrain, weather & snow skills, and safe route selection. Avalanche classes are held at the Williams Peak Yurt, or passes close to town. Here students will shadow and participate in managing terrain and stability evaluation. We believe small class size, participation and real life experiences are the key to avalanche education.
Instructors are SMG guides as well as adjunct teachers from the professional avalanche world and professional members of the American Avalanche Association. Winter Program Director Kirk Bachman is a certified AAA avalanche instructor, is co-chair of the AAA education committee, and also serves as an advisor to AIARE. All ski guides are AIARE trained Instructors.
SMG offers a broad range of courses to fit any skill and experience level. These range from our Backcountry Skills course for beginner backcountry enthusiasts, to Avalanche Level 2 for people with avalanche backgrounds seeking to further their education.
Avalanche Level 1: Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain (AIARE)
- January 8-10 (Williams Peak Yurt)
- January 15-17 (Williams Peak Yurt)
- February 5-7 (Stanley, ID SMG Headquarters)
Avalanche Skills Advancement Workshop-Level 1 Refresher
Avalanche Level 2: Tour Leadership and Avalanche Hazard
Backcountry Skills Camp and Avalanche Awareness
Spring Ski/Snowboard Mountaineering Camp
REI Awareness Lecture & Field Day
- Lecture (Dec 16)
- Follow up Field day - Bogus Basin Sidecountry (Jan 2)
- Lecture (Jan 20)
- Follow up Field day - Bogus Basin Sidecountry (Jan 23)
Winter Director Kirk Bachman
Ph (208)774-3324 Fax (208) 774-3729
getaway@sawtoothguides.com