The Avalanche Education Roadmap
Curious about getting into the winter backcountry but not sure where to start? Maybe you've taken a Level 1 and have multiple seasons under your belt, but aren't sure how to continue learning. Or perhaps you are working towards a career as an avalanche professional. Regardless of where you are on your journey, it's not always clear what the next best step is. The Avalanche Education Roadmap is designed to show you what's available and what your next step might be.
Who is Avalanche Education for?
Anyone who spends time in the winter backcountry should learn how to read an avalanche forecast, identify avalanche terrain, and make an appropriate plan.
Snowshoers | Skiers | Snowboarders | Climbers | Snowmobilers
Start Here
Avalanche Awareness Class
Free | 1.5 Hours | In-Person + Virtual Classroom
Learn from NWAC instructors how to access and read avalanche and mountain weather forecasts, recognize basic signs of avalanche danger, and avoid slopes where avalanches can happen. This class is the perfect starting point for folks without prior avalanche education, or as a seasonal refresher for beginner backcountry travelers.
⁕ NWAC Tip ⁕
Get connected with NWAC!
- Sign up for the weekly Backcountry Bulletin
- Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube
- Volunteer with us
Avalanche Level 1 Course
~$600 | 24 Hours | Field Course
This multi-day course is a cornerstone for any person who travels in the snowy mountains and builds on the basics learned in an Avalanche Awareness Class. Taught by experienced avalanche professionals, this course will introduce you to the concepts of avalanche hazard assessment, decision-making, and rescue. The Level 1 will provide you with a sound understanding of the basics, including tools to make decisions about when to go/not go and how to conduct yourself in and around avalanche terrain.
Avalanche Rescue Course
~$250 | 8 Hours | Field Course
This one-day course focuses exclusively on how to be prepared for and respond to an avalanche incident. Gain hands-on experience with techniques of companion rescue. Most avalanches that carry and/or bury a person are triggered by that person or someone in their party; an immediate response by member(s) of the group involved is the best chance for survival.
⁕ NWAC Tip ⁕
The Level 1 Course and Rescue Course are two foundational courses in the progression recommended by the American Avalanche Association (A3). Either course can be taken first, but they each cover distinct topics and are not interchangeable. It is highly recommended that winter backcountry travelers take both foundational courses.
⁕ NWAC Tip ⁕
Take a movement course prior to a field-based avalanche course. Skiers and splitboarders should have strong downhill skiing/riding skills on ungroomed terrain and be proficient in backcountry movements such as kick turns and transitions prior to taking a Level 1 or Rescue course. If you are new to touring, we recommend taking an Intro to Touring course with a local guide service to learn these skills and get the most out of your avalanche course.
Continue Your Education
The Northwest Snow & Avalanche Workshop
$55 | 8 Hours | In-Person Classroom
NSAW is the premier continuing education workshop in the Northwest. This annual fall event should be a part of every backcountry traveler's pre-season tune-up. With a variety of sessions to choose from throughout the day, NSAW offers valuable sessions for a variety of experience levels and interests.
Going Deep
$25 | 2 Hours | In-Person Classroom
While formal avalanche courses like the Level 1 and 2 cover many critical topics, they aren't intended to cover everything we need to know to be proficient backcountry travelers. Going Deep workshop sessions complement these formal courses with in-depth classroom sessions that target concepts outside the scope of traditional avalanche courses, or that aren't covered in depth. Topics change each year, but examples include tour planning, interpreting mountain weather data and forecasts, and risk management without a forecast.
Avalanche Refresher Course
~$225-$300 | 8 Hours | Field Course
The Level 1 Course is not a box to check and consider done. These skills fade over time. If it's been a few seasons since you took a Level 1, a Refresher Course will sharpen your skills and clarify concepts introduced in the Level 1.
Other Ways to Learn
- Check out our online resources
- Read observations
- Read accident reports
Avalanche Level 2 Course
~$600 | 24 Hours | Field Course
This course is for dedicated winter recreationalists who yearn to explore more challenging and complex avalanche terrain. Build upon the foundation you developed during your prior training. Gain a deeper understanding of the nuances and intricacies of avalanches. Further hone your hazard assessment and decision-making skills. Begin to understand how to choose terrain to match the current avalanche conditions.
Prerequisites: Level 1 and Rescue Course
Going Pro?
Professional avalanche education is designed for those who work in avalanche terrain: ski patrollers, mountain guides, avalanche forecasters, highway departments, search and rescue teams, and other snow safety professionals. These courses provide advanced training in operational decision-making, risk assessment, and professional standards that employers recognize and require.
PRO 1
$ Cost varies | ~70 Hours | Field Course
This course is designed for entry-level avalanche professionals, those newly employed or seeking employment within the industry, and/or seasoned avalanche professionals who wish to refresh their skills and get up to speed with current practices. The five-day Pro 1 course focuses on skills and proficiencies to enable an individual to be a contributing member of an operational avalanche program.
PRO 2
$ Cost varies | ~78 Hours | Field Course
This course is designed for developing avalanche professionals with several seasons of applied professional experience and/or seasoned professionals looking to develop skills applicable to leadership roles within their operation. The six-day Pro 2 course focuses on the skills and proficiencies that enable students to step into a leadership role within an operational avalanche program.
PRO AVSAR
$ Cost varies | ~32 Hours | Field Course
The Professional Avalanche Search and Rescue (Pro AvSAR) course prepares experienced avalanche professionals to organize, manage, and lead complex avalanche rescue incidents involving multiple agencies, expanding resources, and prolonged operational periods. The course is scenario-based and emphasizes leadership, Incident Command System implementation, organized rescue management, advanced search strategy, patient management, and operational decision-making.