Rec 1 + Rescue Avalanche Course

Avoiding Avalanches and Being a Good Partner

This four-day (32-hour) course is your foundation for traveling in the wintery mountains. It is geared toward advanced skiers and riders who want to start exploring the snowy backcountry. The Rec 1 will provide you with an introduction to trip planning, making field observations, techniques for making good decisions, how to travel in avalanche terrain, and a full day of avalanche rescue. Get ready for big days of moving, learning, and having fun! Taught by AMGA-certified Ski Guides Joe, Nick and Elliot.

Pre-Requisites

• Advanced downhill ability. You must be able to ski or splitboard black diamond runs at the resort without falling. Being in control is fundamental to reducing risk, group compatibility, group learning, and your learning.

• Proficiency with your backcountry gear including your bindings and skins. Practice with your backcountry gear away from avalanche terrain before the course. This is not a backcountry riding course. Sorry, no snowshoes on this course.

• Fitness for four consecutive full days in the mountains, skinning up 500-3,000 vertical feet each day.

• Be prepared to remain outside all day in cold and foul weather.

• Age 16 or older and able to drive.

• Wilderness First Aid course recommended.

Dates

2024-25 dates to be decided

Itinerary

Note: If the weather forecast predicts poor learning conditions at the planned venue we may shift to Turnagain Pass, Summit Lake, Hatcher Pass, Western Chugach, or the Chugach Front Range.

Day 1: 8am - 4:30pm. Rescue course.

• 8am - 9:00am meet at Kaladi Brothers Coffee on Brayton in Anchorage.

  • Introductions

  • Rescue briefing

  • Rescue statistics

  • Rescue gear

• 10am - 4:00pm field session at Glen Alps.

  • Importance of avalanche avoiding avalanches

  • Trailhead checks

  • Storing and deploying your rescue gear

  • Rescue method as a victim

  • Rescue method as a responder

  • Searching for victims without beacons

  • Leadership

  • Common medical issues

  • Evacuation

  • Rescue scenarios

• 4pm - 4:30pm parking lot debrief

Day 2: 8am - 4:30pm. Trip planning and field observations.

• 8am - 9:00am morning meeting at Spoonline Bistro in Girdwood.

  • Avalanche types

  • Using the avalanche forecast

  • Trip planning

• 10am - 4pm field session at Turnagain Pass

  • Trailhead checks

  • Identifying avalanche terrain

  • Weather observations

  • Snow observations including the extended column test

  • Avalanche observations

• 4pm - 4:30pm parking lot debrief

Day 3: 8am - 4:30pm. Travel and decision making.

• 8am - 9:00am student led trip planning at Spoonline Bistro in Girdwood.

• 10am - 4pm field session at Turnagain Pass.

  • Student led trailhead checks

  • Applying the trip plan and avalanche forecast to selecting a low risk route

  • Decision making techniques

  • Applying margins for safety

• 4pm - 4:30pm parking lot debrief

Day 4: 8am - 4:30pm. Student led tour

• 8am - 9:00am student led trip planning at Spoonline Bistro in Girdwood.

• 10am - 4pm student-led tour at Turnagain Pass to put it all together

• 4pm - 4:30pm parking lot debrief and course wrap up

Cost

$700 per person

Includes

• Four days (32 hours) of instruction

• 5:1 max student to instructor ratio

• AGC field book

• Rec 1 and Rescue certificates of completion recognized by the American Avalanche Association

Does Not Include

• Lodging, food and drink

• Transportation to and from the trailhead

• The Avalanche Factor by Joe Stock or Avalanche Essentials, by Bruce Tremper

• Personal gear and avalanche rescue gear. See Avalanche Course Gear List.

• Reservation and trip insurance (recommended). See Reservation and Insurance Policy for details.

To Book

• Booking opens October 1.

• Go to avalanche booking page

• Contact us with any questions.

• Upon booking you will receive more course information and some preparation homework.

Photos of Course Topics in Action