Avalanche – BMNSP

2023-24 Avalanche Level 1 Course Info & Description

Lectures: Mondays 12/4/23 & 12/11/23 6:00-10:00PM

Lectures will be held in via zoom.

Transceiver practice: 12/13/23 6:00-9:00PM – Location TBD in Boulder

Field Days: Saturday 1/6/24 & Sunday 1/7/24 – All Day

Saturday Field Day at Butler Gultch, Sunday Field Day at Berthoud Pass

The National Ski Patrol Level I avalanche course is AAA approved and has been designed to train backcountry travelers in Avalanche avoidance and rescue techniques including avalanche recognition, safe route finding, slope analysis, beacon searching, and avalanche rescue.

The course objectives are:

Identify avalanche terrain and make route finding decisions
Identify weak and strong layers
Perform field tests to appreciate snow stability/instability
Recognize weather, terrain, and snowpack factors contributing to instability
Perform small group rescue
Perform fast and efficient transceiver searches

Level 1 Field Days

Trailhead beacon check & avalanche forecast review
Route finding in a Berthoud Pass drainage
Safe travel techniques in avalanche terrain
Small party searches for buried victims
Beacon searching for buried victims
Basic snowpit techniques
Basic snow tests (Rutschblock, Compression Test, and Shovel Shear)
Large party searches for buried victims

Course Fee (includes textbook and handouts):
$185 non-patrollers
$ 80 registered patrollers

To sign up and make payment, email Cindy at avalancheone@bmnsp.org

Additional Info:

- Students should possess some backcountry skiing, nordic skiing or snowshoeing ability. Those unsure of their ability should contact a course coordinator listed above.

- Students should provide their own personal equipment and food for field days. The instructors will provide additional specialized equipment for each course. Equipment will be discussed prior to each field trip.

- Ephasis is on personal self-sufficiency for all winter backcountry travelers. While the course contents are of a serious nature, a healthy dose of fun has become traditional in all Bryan Mountain classes. You will also meet people interested in outdoor winter recreation.

Early registration is encouraged. Course sizes are limited.


Level II Avalanche Course Description
The Ski Patrol’s Level II Avalanche Course is designed to train students to lead avalanche rescues and to provide them with comprehensive avalanche knowledge to support rescue decision making. Specifically, the training includes: Avalanche Hazard History and Statistics Characteristics Meteorology Fundamentals Mountain Snowpack Metamorphism Energy & Dynamics Stability Evaluation Safe Travel & Terrain Analysis Self Survival and Rescue Avalanche Rescue Organization Special Medical Considerations Avalanche Transceiver Search Three days in the field will cover: Snow Pits Hasty Pits Data Pits Stability Tests and Data Analysis Probeline Leadership Initial (Hasty) Search Leadership Transceiver Search Terrain, Routes, and Travel Backcountry and Area Rescue Control and Rescue Dog Demo (if possible) Safety Procedures There are five evening classroom sessions and three eight hour field days. The emphasis is on hands-on learning. Students should possess some nordic skiing or snowshoeing ability. Those unsure of their ability should contact a course coordinator listed above. Students should provide their own personal equipment and food for field days. The instructors will provide additional specialized equipment for each course. Equipment will be discussed prior to each field trip. Students must have completed a Ski Patrol Level I (Basic) Avalanche Course or provide documentation of comparable education. Early registration is encouraged. Course sizes are limited.

Location TBD