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Level 1
Recreational Courses
Level 1
Recreational Courses
Level 1
Description Details Dates
3 days (24 hrs) / $495

This intensive, hands-on course is geared toward skiers, boarders, climbers, and other outdoor enthusiasts who want to build winter backcountry skills. The Level 1 course combines classroom activities and field sessions to provide a comprehensive overview of avalanche hazard recognition and evaluation. By the end of the three-day course, graduates will be able to:

  • Make a trip plan
  • Gather pertinent information
  • Know what kind of avalanche problem they face
  • Know the patterns of that problem
  • Choose appropriate terrain for the conditions
  • Know safe travel techniques for that terrain
  • Know what to do if things go wrong

Field sessions take place each day, so students should be prepared to remain outside in a variety of weather conditions.

Students considering a Level 1 course should be proficient in use of their touring gear. For those looking to learn more about backcountry touring equipment, we suggest our Avalanche Fundamentals course.

Tuition Includes

  • Instruction
  • Instructional handouts

Tuition Does Not Include

  • Round trip transportation to and from the class site.
  • Suggested Reading: Avalanche Essentials by Bruce Tremper
  • Food during the course
  • Personal gear and clothing (see the Course Gear List below).

Prerequisites

  • Participants must be able to ski or snowshoe up and downhill in variable terrain and changing snow conditions (snowboarders need to use snowshoes or splitboard with skins).
  • At least 16 years old (and able to transport self to trailhead). No exceptions.

Curriculum

This course is geared towards skiers, boarders, climbers, and other backcountry enthusiasts and is an intensive, hands-on course, which will provide students with the skills necessary to recognize and evaluate potential avalanche hazard. This 24 hour course will be a combination of lectures and hands-on learning. The day to day itinerary varies by course location and time of year. Please look for an email with course specifics 30 days out from
your course start. In general, you should prepare for up to 6 hours of field time each day. Program curriculum consists of:

  • Avalanche Rescue Transceiver use
  • Terrain analysis
  • Snow stability evaluation
  • Decision-making
  • Route selection
  • Safe travel procedures
What you need on your Rec 1

No dates are currently scheduled. Please contact us if you are interested in this course.


Alaska Avalanche School
Copyright © 2025
Alaska Avalanche School
All Rights Reserved. 2025

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1113 W Fireweed Ln, Suite 201
Anchorage, AK 99503
Tel: (937) 265-0061
Hours: M-F, 10am-4pm
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Alaska Avalanche School
1113 W Fireweed Ln, Ste 201 Anchorage, AK 99503  |  Email
Copyright © 2025 Alaska Avalanche School 2025