Rec 2 Avalanche Course

Avoiding Avalanches In Remote Alaska

This three-day (24-hour) course is part II of your avalanche education. It is designed for the advanced rider, who has worked on their avalanche skills, and wants to continue improving their avalanche skills, especially to use in remote regions without a professional avalanche forecast. After reviewing the Rec 1 and Avalanche Rescue courses, we will build upon that foundation. You will improve your ability to choose terrain to match the conditions, hone your snowpack and decision-making skills, and gain advanced techniques for managing complex terrain. A course-long theme is preparing for the 99% of Alaska that has no professional avalanche forecast, where you are the recreational avalanche forecaster. Whether flying into a remote area to set up a base camp, or skiing from the road into a non-forecasted area, we give you the skills for trip planning, avalanche forecasting, and making low-risk decisions when uncertainty is high. The course is light on snow science and heavy on techniques to make good decisions to ride and travel through avalanche terrain in remote Alaska.

This course is taught by AMGA-certified Ski Guides Joe, Nick, and Elliot who work and recreate in avalanche terrain. Students on the AGC Rec 2 are competent backcountry riders who want to improve their knowledge for adventures and exploring in Alaska. It tends to be a fun and motivated group with fascinating discussion.

We Will Cover

Rec 1 Review
- Trailhead checks
- Terrain
- Avalanche types
- Rescue review and updates
Snow observations including tests
Weather observations
Avalanche forecasting
Trip planning
Terrain analysis
Decision making techniques
Managing the team on the ascent
Managing the team on the descent
Applying margins for safety
Remote Alaska
- Avalanche forecasting
- Trip planning
Where to go from here

Date

Jan 18-20, 2025

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: Rescue and Rec 1 review

8am trip plan inside Kaladi Brothers Coffee on Brayton in Anchorage.
10am - 4pm field session at Glen Alps.
4 - 4:30pm parking lot debrief.

Day 2: Travel and observations.

8am trip plan inside Vagabond Blues in Palmer.
10am - 4pm field session at Hatcher Pass.
4 - 4:30pm parking lot debrief.

Day 3: Tour while apply all the skills.

8am trip plan inside CoasT Pizza in Girdwood.
10am - 4pm tour at Turnagain Pass while putting it all together.
4 - 4:30pm parking lot debrief and course wrap up.

Prerequisites

Advanced downhill ability. You must be able to ski or splitboard black diamond resort runs without falling. Being in control on skis is fundamental to reducing risk, group compatibility, group learning, and your learning.
Rec 1 and Rescue courses. At least a year of experience since your Rec 1 and Rescue courses including at least 15 backcountry days practicing those Rec 1 and Rescue skills. You should arrive knowing basic avalanche companion rescue skills and have recent practice. On this course we spend about three hours refining those rescue skills, introducing recent updates, and adding advanced rescue skills. Rec 1 and Rescue courses are required by the American Avalanche Association (A3) before taking the Rec 2. A3 sets the standards for all US avalanche educators.
Proficiency with your backcountry gear. You must be dialed with your backcountry gear including your bindings and skins. This is not a backcountry ski course. Sorry, no snowshoes on this course.
Fitness for four consecutive days in the mountains, skinning up about 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.

Cost

$550 per person

Includes

Three days (24 hours) of instruction.
Professional instructors: AMGA Ski Guide certified and American Avalanche Association Pro 2 certified.
5:1 max student to instructor ratio.
AGC field book.
Rec 2 certificate of completion recognized by the American Avalanche Association.

Does Not Include

Transportation to and from the trailhead.
Lodging, food and drink.
The Avalanche Factor by Joe Stock or Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain by Bruce Tremper.
Personal gear and avalanche rescue gear. See Course Gear List .
Reservation and trip insurance (recommended). See Reservation and Insurance Policy for details.