Avalanche Refresher

Not only does our new Avalanche Refresher offer customized coursework with better, more in-depth content, but you’ll still get a full day in the field with your Tahoe avalanche instructors.

Who Can Participate 

Skiers and riders joining this course must be advanced intermediate skiers/riders who have taken an AIARE 1 course or equivalent. Skiers and riders must be competent on both on and off-piste terrain in a variety of conditions. This is comparable to skiing confidently on all blue runs and most black runs in the resort (including ungroomed terrain).

Skiers/riders 16 years and over are able to join courses without accompaniment. Children 12-15 can join private bookings with a parent or legal guardian present.

Course Expectations

Students can expect to refresh their skills on how to prepare for and carry out a backcountry trip, understand basic decision making while in the field, and practice avalanche rescue techniques.

Lake Tahoe Locations

Operating in partnership with the Tahoe National Forest and the Truckee Donner Land Trust, our outdoor classroom contains some of the best terrain in the region to begin your avalanche education.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the Avalanche 1 Refresher course the student should be able to:

– Develop a plan for travel in avalanche terrain.
– Demonstrate the ability to identify avalanche terrain.
– Demonstrate effective companion rescue.

Instructional Session

1. Introduction to the Avalanche Phenomena

– Types and characteristics of avalanches
– Avalanche motion
– Size classification
– The mountain snowpack: an introduction to metamorphism and layering

2. Observations and Information Gathering

– Field observation techniques
– Snowpack tests: rutschblock, compression test, extended column test
– Avalanche danger factors or “Red Flags”
– Observation checklist
– Avalanche danger scale

3. Trip Planning and Preparation

– Avalanche terrain recognition, assessment, and selection
– Route finding and travel techniques
– Decision making and Human Factors

4. Companion Rescue and Equipment

Want more info? Check out this interview with AIARE instructor Ben Weaver.

THE ALPENGLOW DIFFERENCE

As a Tahoe guide company with countless expeditions to high-altitude peaks around the world over the last 15 years, we bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to our beloved “home mountain”. Our teaching and guiding philosophy has been honed from the flanks of the Himalayan giants to the technical peaks of Peru, and we are beyond excited to be able to bring our program to this fantastic mountain. In addition to our international expedition roots, we are accredited by the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), being one of the very few guide services in the region to hold such a high standard. Each of our guides is trained by the AMGA in the terrain in which they operate, and the program is supervised by internationally licensed IFMGA mountain guides. This high standard, along with our many years of experience, translates to a fantastic mountain adventure!

Alpenglow Expeditions operates under special use permit with the Tahoe, Eldorado, Inyo, Humboldt-Toiyable and Shasta-Trinity National Forests. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.