Northeast Avalanche Awareness Courses
for Jan-Feb-Mar 2009
Here are the avalanche awareness courses in
the northeast that we’re aware of.
If you have any additional info (or we got something wrong) please send
us a note at info@nebackcountry.org.
Click on the provider names to register/get
more info.
The course lengths and curriculums change
every year. When you add in the
different certifying organizations and pricing it becomes even more
confusing! Here’s a quick
shot at trying to unravel it.
·
Clinics. A chance to brush up on your beacon skills with an instructor or
industry rep around.
·
NSP Avalanche Fundamentals and Rescue Workshops. A
short introduction to avy awareness that attempts to
leave you with a strong sense of what you don’t
know and what might kill you. Sticks to the basics.
May have a rescue emphasis or may have a prevention emphasis depending on
the course and instructor.
·
Chauvin 2-Day Avy
Awareness Course. A rule-based intro to
decision making when in avy terrain. Chauvin writes “It is an ideal first course for those new to travel in avalanche
terrain and a great review for anyone who has some experience or prior training
but feels they need a skills tune-up.".
·
3-Day AIARE and NSP Level One Courses. A more thorough judgment-based
introduction to decision making in avy terrain.
·
4-Day AIARE and NSP Level Two Courses. A more in-depth look at snow science and decision making. Builds upon the observation and
decision-making skills learned in the Level One courses.
Avalanche
Awareness/Beacon Practice Clinics
March 7/8
(price unknown right now)
Whiteface, Wilmington, NY
3-hour clinics. An Ortovox rep will be present.
NSP Avalanche
Fundamentals and Rescue Workshops
January 17-18
Price $85
The full NSP AF&R course is a day and a
half. You can start on Saturday and
then take a half-day on Sunday or start on Sunday and take a half-day on
Monday. This is the last year the NSP
will recognize this course as a prerequisite for the NSP Level Two course at
Whiteface. Next year it will become a one day course as a prerequisite for the
NSP Level One. Chuck Boyd, who owns a climbing school and guiding service, and
has skied all around the globe will be teaching
this. You can check out the
description of last year’s workshop here. Chuck’s website is here.
Keene
Valley, NY
2-Day
Avalanche Awareness Courses
Jan 24-25, 2009
Jan 31-Feb 1, 2009
Feb 28-Mar 1,2009
Price $225
Pinkham Notch, NH
Prerequisites: Students must have the
physical ability to travel to and in avalanche terrain. There are no other
prerequisites.
Courses fill quickly. Other
dates and courses possible through arrangement.
3-Day AIARE
Level One Courses
Feb 14-15-16, 2009
Price $350 (max student/teacher ratio 5:1)
Pinkham Notch, NH
January 17-19
January 31-February 2
February 14-16
March 14-16
March 28-30
Price $300
North
Conway, NH
Tenney Mountain, Plymouth, NH
TBA
Lake
Placid, NY
February 28-March 2
3-Day National
Ski Patrol Level One Courses
January 30-31, Feb 1
Price $200
Smugglers Notch, VT
March 6-8
$250 for members, $268 for non-members
Pinkham Notch, NH
4-Day AIARE Level Two Courses
February 19-22
March 19-22
Price $400
Pinkham Notch, NH
Feb 5-8
Price $375
[location tbd]
4-Day American
National Ski Patrol Level Two Courses
March 19-22
Price $250
Whiteface, Wilmington, NY
Contact an
AIARE Instructor and Schedule Your Own Course