Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center -- Education

Avalanche Classes

Basic Workshops
Advanced Workshop
Tutorials on the Web

Avalanche Course Calendar

Basic Workshops

The ASMSU Outdoor Recreation Program will sponsor two Basic Avalanche Awareness Workshops during the 2009-2010 winter season. Instructors are Ron Johnson and Karl Birkeland.

The workshops are held on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, with a field session on Saturday. Different topics are presented each evening. 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 should have basic skiing and snowboarding skills, and the appropriate equipment to negotiate “groomed” intermediate ski runs. Though not required, an avalanche rescue beacon will be very helpful for the field session.

Cost is $5.00 for each evening session and $15.00 for the field session. Cost for the entire workshop is $25.00. Registration is not required for the evening sessions. Registration is required for the field session, which can be done at either of the evening sessions. Contact The ASMSU Outdoor Recreation Program at 994-3621 for more information.

The course outline is available at http://www.fsavalanche.org/NAC/techPages/av_ed/basic.pdf

Evening Sessions: December 2 and 3, 2008, 7:00pm to 9:30pm, at MSU in the Strand Union Building.

Field Session: December 58, 2008, 9:15am to 3:00pm, at Bridger Bowl Ski Area.

Second Session:

Evening Sessions: January 27 and 28, 2009, 7:00pm to 9:30pm, at MSU in the Strand Union Building.

Field Session: January 30, 2009, 9:15am to 3:00pm, at Bridger Bowl Ski Area.

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BASIC AVALANCHE AWARENESS FOR SNOWMOBILERS:

BOZEMAN:

The Friends of the Avalanche Center in conjunction with Team Bozeman will offer a Basic Avalanche Awareness Workshop specifically for snowmobilers. The workshop will be conducted during two evening sessions and one field session. 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 need a reliable snowmachine and basic mountain riding skills. An avalanche rescue beacon and shovel is required.

There is no cost for this workshop; however, a $30.00 donation to The Friends of the Avalanche Center is requested. Call 587-6984 for more information. THIS COURSE MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS FOR GALLATIN NF SNOWMOBILE GUIDES CERTIFICATION.

Dates and Place: Team Bozeman, December 2009 with an all day field session, exact dates TBD.

WEST YELLOWSTONE:

The Friends of the Avalanche Center will offer a Basic Avalanche Awareness Workshop specifically for snowmobilers in West Yellowstone, Montana. 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 need a reliable snowmachine and basic mountain riding skills. An avalanche rescue beacon and shovel is required.

Dates: December 2009 and January 2010, exact dates TBD.

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Advanced Workshops

ADVANCED AVALANCHE HAZARD EVALUATION WORKSHOP

The ASMSU Outdoor Recreation Program sponsors an Advanced Avalanche Hazard Evaluation Workshop, which consists of two evening sessions and one Saturday field session. Course content includes: snowpack metamorphism, the mechanics of avalanche failure and fracture, and decision-making problems. Different topics are covered each evening session. The field session includes snowpack analysis, and avalanche rescue problems. The course emphasizes increasing the decision-making skills of the students. Instructors are Ron Johnson and Karl Birkeland.

Course Requirements:

We assume that each student has 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 a ten-hour basic avalanche course, including a field session. Each student needs to have and know how to use an avalanche rescue beacon. Each student needs a shovel. Participants need skis or snowboard and able to efficiently negotiate non-groomed, intermediate slopes. Each student will need either climbing skins or snowshoes, to facilitate access to field sites.

ADVANCED REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED with priority given to students and staff of MSU. Costs are: ASMSU-$35.00, MSU-$40.00, and the General Public- $45.00. Contact The ASMSU Outdoor Recreation Program at 994-3621 for more information.

Dates:

Evening Sessions: February 3 and 4, 2009, 7:00 to 9:30 p.m., at MSU in the Strand Union Building.

Field Session: February 6, 2009, 9:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Bridger Bowl.