Avalanche Classes

Overview

PPG has been offering avalanche education for over 18 years, and have been an AIARE course provider since 2004. Our courses are taught to the American Avalanche Association and American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education standards.

AIARE Avalanche Rescue

This is a one-day stand alone course that is intended to be retaken on a regular basis in order to keep abreast of best practices in rescue techniques and gear. New participants will learn the basics of companion rescue, while experienced participants will expand their skill set with advanced topics and realistic scenario practice to help improve their skills after the course. Each participant will have the opportunity to receive professional coaching their rescue skills and will receive a rescue card acknowledging completion date at course end.

Student learning outcomes

At the end of the Avalanche Rescue course the student should be able to: Describe what to do if they or a member of their party is caught in an avalanche Identify and be able to use gear necessary for avalanche rescue Set up a realistic scenario in order to practice an avalanche rescue response Improve their response skills and times during and after the course with feedback from instructors and peers. Timed practice with a realistic scenarios.

Dates/Rates

December 16 $225 Companion Rescue

December 23 $225 Companion Rescue

AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course – Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain

This course provides 24 hours of education over a three day period. We will focus on avalanche terrain identification, learn and practice safe travel techniques, practice rescue scenarios, monitor changes in the snowpack while traveling in the backcountry, learn to make and record appropriate field observations, and practice developing a trip plan and choosing appropriate terrain before heading into the backcountry.

Details

Day one of the town-based course will be at our base area, outside reviewing the required 4 hour online pre course learning. Day two and three we will travel by snowcat to Lick Creek Summit, at 7,000 feet in elevation, for field sessions touring into higher terrain.

Dates/Rates

December 13 - 15 $635 McCall/ Field Trips to Lick Creek Summit
December 20 - 22 $635 McCall/Field Trips to Lick Creek Summit
January 10 - 12 $635 McCall/Field Trips to Lick Creek Summit
January 24 - 26 $635 Womens Only | McCall/ Field Trips to Lick Creek Summit
Jan 30 - Feb 2 $1200 Yurt based AIARE 1 and Rescue

Deposit of 50% of the per person total, less taxes, is required for Avalanche Courses.
Final balance for Avalance Courses are due 60 days prior to the course. Courses will be reserved when deposit by cash, check, or credit card is received.

AIARE Level 2 Avalanche Course – Evaluating Snow Stability & Avalanche Hazard

This 4 day course provides backcountry leaders the opportunity to advance their avalanche knowledge and decision making skills. This course builds from the introductory avalanche hazard management model introduced in the AIARE Level 1 and adds to it the evaluation of factors critical to stability evaluation. It will also help build a framework for hazard assessment without a public bulletin or local forecast. In addition, it will cover advanced improvement of companion rescue skills such as multiple burial and deep burial scenarios.

Dates/Rates

December 26-29 $1200 Yurt based AIARE 2 and Rescue

Deposit of 50% of the per person total, less taxes, is required for Avalanche Courses.
Final balance for Avalance Courses are due 60 days prior to the course. Courses will be reserved when deposit by cash, check, or credit card is received.

Custom private AIARE Level 1 or 2, Introduction to backcountry and/or rescue courses available.
Yurt or town based.