Recreational Level 1 Avalanche Course Whitefish, MT.

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Learn
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Whitefish
winter
Winter
moderate
Moderate
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difficult
Difficult

Overview

AIARE Recreational Level 1 Avalanche Course in Whitefish, Montana

Build the skills, judgment, and confidence to travel safely in avalanche terrain. Our hybrid AIARE Level 1 course in Whitefish takes advantage of the terrain of the Flathead Valley to jump-start your touring career, with self-guided pre-course learning, an evening session with your instructor, and two full field days.

Recreational Level 1 at a Glance

  • Location: Whitefish, Montana — Flathead Valley
  • Level: AIARE Recreational Level 1
  • Prerequisites: None
  • Format: Hybrid — one evening session plus two field days
  • Season: Winter
  • For: Backcountry skiers, splitboarders, snowshoers and winter mountaineers

What You'll Learn in Recreational Level 1

By the end of this AIARE Level 1 course, you will be able to:

  • Recognize avalanche terrain
  • Recognize hazardous avalanche conditions
  • Use daily avalanche forecasts as an effective risk management tool
  • Make informed go / no-go decisions
  • Conduct organized companion rescues
  • Communicate clearly within a backcountry group

Course Format

One evening session with your instructor to review the pre-course learning and plan the field days, followed by two full-day tours with an AIARE-certified instructor and AMGA-certified guides.

Who This Course Is For & Prerequisites

This Recreational Level 1 Avalanche Course is ideal for:

  • Backcountry skiers and splitboarders
  • Snowshoers traveling in avalanche terrain
  • Winter mountaineers
  • Resort riders transitioning into sidecountry or backcountry travel

Why Take Recreational Level 1 with The Mountain Guides

  • AIARE-certified instructors and AMGA-certified guides
  • Field days in the Flathead Valley terrain you actually tour
  • Hybrid format that maximizes time in the mountains

Continue Your Avalanche Education

After your Level 1, keep rescue skills sharp with an Avalanche Rescue course every two years and step up to our season-long Recreational Level 2. Check availability and course dates below.

Our hybrid online/in-person TMGM Level 1 Courses are designed for people looking to build a foundation for backcountry travel who need a more flexible timeline that can fit into an evening and weekend format.  This comprehensive course consists of 2-3 hours of self guided learning, a 7 hours of virtual evening classroom sessions (split between 2 different nights) and 2 weekend days in the field.

The curriculum focuses on information collection and comprehension, decision-making and companion rescue skills.  Throughout the course you will learn the skills and tools needed to navigate the winter mountains and evaluate the snowpack when traveling through avalanche terrain.  Our goal is to create more confidence and comfort within our students.

The course begins at 6:00 PM for the 3.5 hour evening sessions. These are held via a virtual classroom. Our field days meet at the base lodge at Whitefish Mountain Resort at 830 AM. We will be in the field regardless of weather on both field days. Students can expect to be done with class by 630 PM on the first day and by 530 PM on the second.

CLICK HERE for a course outline.

Check Availability

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406-344-7515