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 AIARE AVALANCHE SAFETY PROGRAM:
Contemplating the powder at the boundary line, but not sure what to make of that new foot of fresh?
Ever dream of skiing the bigger peaks?
OUR AVALANCHE SAFETY COURSES:
These AIARE programs (see below) give skiers and boarders all the tools and skills needed to make good decisions in the backcountry, whether that consists of steep and deep backcountry descents or just dropping over the backside of your favorite resort. Our goal is to develop safe, self-reliant ski-mountaineers ready to climb and ski locally or in the great ranges of the world. Participants will be given an active role, to have a chance to test their judgment while under the instructors' guidance. And of course, plenty of turns will be had by all!
TRIP LOCATIONS: All courses take place in the Cascades of Washington State.
WHY MOUNTAIN MADNESS' SKI & AVALANCHE PROGRAM?
World Class Guides and AIARE* Curriculum
Our Avalanche Instructors have almost forty years of cumulative experience in professional snow safety and ski guiding around the world. Our staff has been certified or trained by the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) and the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE), which has developed courses taken by professional ski patrollers, mountain guides, and National Park and U.S. Forest Service Field Staff.
I learned a lot and I have a lot more respect for avalanche danger! Elena G.
Experienced Instructors
Matt Schonwald: Mountain Madness North America Program Director, AMGA Certified Ski-Mountaineering Guide, Professional Member of the American Avalanche Association. He holds Level 3 Avalanche certification, is a CAATS Level 1 certified, and has worked as a Professional Ski Patrol and Avalanche Control Specialist. Matt has spent the last 20 years climbing and skiing in Europe, Asia, and the Americas and has ski guided in the Cascades, Alaska, Antarctica, Canada, and Europe.
Jay Bright: Course Director, has 16 years Professional Ski Patrol/Avalanche Control Specialist, is AIARE Level 3 Certified, and an Outdoor Emergency Care Instructor. Jay has spent the last 15 years as a professional ski patroller in the Northwest and has guided for 12 years on the rivers of the Northwest.
Mason Stafford: Lead Instructor, is an AMGA Certified Ski Mountaineering Guide, Professional Avalanche Forecaster, and is Level 3 Avalanche certified. Mason has ski guided in Russia, Canada, and the Cascades. Mason also works as a mountain guide throughout the world.
*AIARE was formed to address the lack of a nationally recognized curriculum for avalanche education in the USA. There are many avalanche courses and programs available but many course providers operate according to their own personal beliefs and ideas. AIARE standards and guidelines adhere to existing national and international standards such as those developed by the American Avalanche Association and the Canadian Avalanche Association.
The end result is that our instructors have obtained the highest standards and teach a curriculum developed from the highest standards.
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AVALANCHE LEVEL I
"I wanted to say thanks for a great class. It was great to learn not only the fundamentals of avy work, but to be able to put them into practice under your watchful eye. It was really helpful to work under “High” avy danger to see how to make the right decisions for a safe and fun day. I would recommend your course to anyone looking to head to the backcountry.Thanks so much and hope to see you in the backcountry soon!"
Nick Stiritz, Avalanche 1 course, 1/25/08
LEVEL I COURSE:
 Contemplating the powder at the boundary line, but not sure what to make of that new foot of snow? Sign up for the Avalanche Level I and spend 24 hours learning about snow mechanics, hazard evaluation techniques and develop your avalanche judgment for the backcountry. This course designed for all types of backcountry travelers, snowshoers, backcountry skiers, snowboarders, mountaineers, ski patrol, and mountain guides.
Student/Instructor Ratio: 6:1
Intermediate ski or boarding ability required.
Seattle:2008 March 7-9(Course FULL)
Friday Night Lecture at Feathered Friends in Seattle. Field Days at Stevens Pass.
Cost: $240.00
Intro to Backcountry Touring Extension, “Putting it All Together” We take one more day to learn how to develop tour plans, and apply appropriate travel techniques. Participants will have a chance to test their judgment while under the instructors’ guidance.
Dates (1 day): February 25 March 3, 10
Cost: $125
Course curriculum includes:
- Weather
- Snowpack
- Avalanche phenomenon
- Terrain analysis
- Avalanche hazard ratings
- Human factors and risk assessment
- Decision making
- Rescue-self-rescue/companion rescue
- Transceiver check (group/independent)
- Terrain management (safe, efficient, fast)
- Terrain management w/ uphill track
- Terrain management downhill
- Simple transceiver search
- In depth transceiver search
- Munter 3x3
- Test profile
COST INCLUDES: Student handbook, evening lectures and field instruction.
COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: Transportation to Stevens Pass or Hurricane Ridge, transceivers, shovels, probes or touring equipment. A detailed equipment list will be sent to all participants.
COURSE ITINERARY:
Friday Lecture Session: We meet at 6:45 at Feathered Friends and cover the following topics: Snowpack, Avalanche Phenomenon, Terrain Analysis, Hazard Evaluation and Avalanche Hazard Ratings,
Saturday Lecture Session: After our field session we meet at 4:00 at the Stevens Pass main lodge and cover the remaining topics: Human Factors and Risk Assessment, Decision Making and Tour Planning.
Field Day 1: Arrive at the Pacific Crest Lodge at 8:00 am and get ready for the day. Meet at 8:30am, perform a gear check, do introductions, and then start our tour. We learn how to use the gear efficiently, including learning more about transceivers, probes and shovels. We will practice terrain analysis, stability evaluation, decision making, transceiver check, terrain management.
Field Day 2: We return to the mountains and continue our education by focusing on terrain management, track setting, and more advanced transceiver techniques. We brings all the skills together and take a closer look at the snowpack by digging a test profile and performing bonding tests to find any slabs. We learn about self-rescue and companion rescue and wrap up the day around 4 pm.
Optional Field Day 3 Intro to Backcountry Touring Extension: “Putting it All Together” Add a day and develop tour plans and apply appropriate travel techniques. Participants will test their judgment on a full day tour under the instructors’ guidance. Additional practice with skinning, track setting and route finding as well
NOTES ON ITINERARY: Although we do our very best to follow the schedule listed, this itinerary is subject to change due to weather, route conditions, and other reasons beyond our control.
QUALIFICATIONS: Intermediate alpine, telemark or snowboarding ability required. Previous mountaineering experience is not required. We cannot overemphasize the importance of physical conditioning. By getting your heart, lungs, and legs in top physical condition, you can focus on learning while enjoying the high mountain environment. It is recommended that you have some camping and hiking experience prior to this trip.
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AVALANCHE LEVEL II
 Been traveling in the backcountry with friends of equal or less experience than you, but encountered conditions that left you scratching your head, should I stay or should I go? Take the next step and sign up for the Level II Avalanche course. You will receive 30 hours instruction on: snow metamorphism, guidelines and recording standards for weather, snow packs and avalanche observations, route selection and decision making, avalanche recognition, snow profiles and evaluation, bonding tests, and route finding considerations for the professional mountain guide, snow rangers or ski patrollers.
"Our instructors, Jay and Mason, rock!! " Michael Bosworth - Avalanche level II
Student/Instructor Ratio: 5:1
Intermediate ski or boarding ability required.
Seattle: TBD
Lectures and Field days at Stevens Pass.
Cost: $465.00
Course curriculum includes:
- Observation and recording of factors that affect or indicate snow stability
- Weather, snowpack, and avalanche activity
- Observation Guidelines and Recording Standards for Weather, Snowpack, and Avalanches
- Standardized recording formats for Weather, Snowpack, and Avalanches
- Use of less formal field data as well as formalized data gathering
- Creation and metamorphism of the mountain snowpack
- Formation of new snow and surface hoar
- Weather effects on snow surface
- Temperature gradient effects
- Stability analysis and forecasting
- Stability ratings
- Avalanche release and skier triggering concepts
- Slab failure
- Skier stress
 COST INCLUDES: Student handbook, evening lectures and field instruction.
COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: Transportation to Stevens Pass, transceivers, shovels, probes or touring equipment. A detailed equipment list will be sent to all participants.
COURSE ITINERARY:
Lecture Sessions: at Stevens Pass.
Field Day 1: We meet at 8:00 am in the Stevens Pass Lodge perform a gear check, do introductions, and then start our day. We begin with a review of the Level 1 material and introduce record and observation guidelines. We go over multiple burial search techniques. We complete the day with a full data profile. We take our field observations and gather that afternoon to go over recording procedures and standards.
Field Day 2: We return to Stevens and continue our education by focusing on terrain management, track setting, and more advanced transceiver techniques. We bring all the skills together and move into tour planning, map and compass navigation and dig a few test profiles.
Field Day 3: We go to a new area and with our tour plan go on a full day tour, using the skills conduct our evaluations under the supervision of the instructors.
Field Day 4: Today we conduct another tour and students are assessed on their skills learned in the course.
NOTES ON ITINERARY: Although we do our very best to follow the schedule listed, this itinerary is subject to change due to weather, route conditions, and other reasons beyond our control. Students will be informed of the location of their course at the first lecture, based upon current snow, route, and weather conditions.
QUALIFICATIONS: Intermediate alpine, telemark or snowboarding ability required. Previous mountaineering experience is not required. We cannot overemphasize the importance of physical conditioning. By getting your heart, lungs, and legs in top physical condition, you can focus on learning while enjoying the high mountain environment. It is recommended that you have some camping and hiking experience prior to this trip.
Lecture Sessions: 7-10 pm at Second Ascent, in Ballard.
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