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Avalanche Safety Workshops

1-Hour Avalanche Awareness Class

We offer many FREE awareness classes that are constantly being added to our Education Calendar. 

The Education Calendar is a comprehensive list of all or classes as well as Level 1 and 2 avalanche classess offered by private companies.

Avalanche Safety Workshops

These are indepth, multi-hour or multi-day affairs: 

ASMSU Intro to Avalanches w/Field Course

The GNFAC along with the Friends of GNFAC and ASMSU are sponsoring this course.

The workshops are held on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, with a field course on Saturday. Different topics are presented each evening. Topics include: avalanche terrain recognition, the affect weather has on avalanche hazard, the development of the mountain snowpack, decision making skills, and basic search and rescue procedures. Participants in the field course should have basic skiing and snowboarding skills with the appropriate equipment to negotiate “groomed” intermediate ski runs. Please bring skins or snowshoes for uphill travel. Although not required, an avalanche rescue beacon, shovel and probe will be very helpful for the field session.

You MUST attend both classroom sessions to go in the field on Saturday.

Registration is encoraged, but NOT required.

For more information and to register:

ASMSU Intro to Avalnches w/Field Session: December 4, 5 & 7, 2013

ASMSU Intro to Avalnaches w/Field Session: Jan 22, 23 & 25, 2014

Snowmobiler Introduction to Avalanches with Field Course

The GNFAC along with the Friends of GNFAC are sponsoring this course.

Five hours of lectures are followed by a full day field course. Topics covered include: avalanche terrain recognition, the affect weather has on avalanche hazard, the development of the mountain snowpack, decision making skills, and basic search and rescue procedures. Participants in the field session will each need a reliable snowmobile and basic mountain riding skills. An avalanche rescue beacon and shovel are required.

THIS COURSE MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS FOR GALLATIN NF SNOWMOBILE GUIDES CERTIFICATION.

For more informatin and to register:

West Yellowstone: Dec 19, 12-5pm and all day Dec 20, 2013

Bozeman, TBD

ASMSU Advanced Avalanche Workshop w/Field Course

The GNFAC along with the Friends of GNFAC and ASMSU are sponsoring this course.  

The lectures are held on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, with a field course on Saturday at Bridger Bowl. Course content includes: snowpack metamorphism, the mechanics of avalanche failure and fracture, and decision-making. Different topics are covered each evening session. The field session includes snowpack analysis and avalanche rescue scenarios. The course emphasizes snowpack assessment and decision-making skills. Instructors are Karl Birkeland of the National Avalanche Center and Mark Staples of the GNFAC.

Course Requirements:
Students need a basic knowledge of avalanche terrain, weather factors that contribute to avalanches, and the development and relationship between slabs and weak layers. Therefore, each student should have taken the equivalent of our Introduction to Avalanches with Field Course. Each student needs to be skilled with their avalanche beacon and should also bring a shovel and a probe in the field.  Participants should be able to negotiate non-groomed, intermediate slopes on skis or a snowboard. Skins or snowshoes are needed for uphill travel.

You MUST attend both classroom sessions to go in the field on Saturday.
 

For more information and to register:

ASMSU Advanced Avalanche Workshop w/Field Course: Jan 29 & 30, Feb 1, 2014

Companion Rescue Clinic for Snowmobilers

This six-hour clinic takes place entirely in the field. Every participant needs an avalanche beacon, shovel and probe (optional) and must have their own snowmobile.

The course goals are to 1) learn how to wear and operate an avalanche beacon, and 2) perform a mock rescue including single and multiple burial search. 

During the day we will cover the importance of beacon skills; beacon operation and search principles; demonstration and practice of initial, secondary and pinpoint search; rescue practice scenarios including group management, probing and shoveling; overview of first aid and emergency skills needed in actual rescues.

Registration is required.

For more information and to register:

Dates for 2013-2014 are TBD

Companion Rescue Clinic for Skiers & Boarders

This FREE six-hour clinic will take place in two parts. The first part of is an indoor discussion covering all types of avalanche rescue gear and explains what is needed to quickly and effectively rescue your partner. A discussion of rescue techniques and basic first aid will also be discussed.

The second session will be held entirely in the field. All participants must be prepared to travel over snow on skis with skins, waxless skis, snowshoes or a split board. Boot packing is not acceptable. Be prepared to comfortably participate in any weather conditions. Hot drinks, snacks and extra layers strongly encouraged.

Each participant must bring their own avalanche beacon, probe, shovel and ski pack to each session.

The primary objectives of the course are:
1- To learn how to wear and operate an avalanche beacon
2- To perform a mock rescue that will include single and multiple burials

This course will also cover the importance of effective beacon skills in a variety of rescue situations where group management, probing and shoveling techniques are integral to a successful search.

SPACE IS LIMITED AND PRE-REGISTRATION IS MANDATORY.

For more information and to register follow the link to the desired course location.

Dates for 2013-14 are TBD