Avy 3

These are one day mentorship opportunities for advanced recreational skiers and riders who would like to pursue further practical training and mentorship without entering the professional training progression.

Filling the Education Gap

Mentorship and Coaching for Intermediate to Advanced Recreationalists
Formalized avalanche training in the United States neglects to provide opportunities for advanced recreationalists. Without entering the expensive and impractical Pro track there are limited opportunities for recreationalists wanting to step into steeper terrain and address concepts not routinely covered in the A3 recreational curriculum. The Avy 3 program is designed to fill this gap in training and provide opportunities to address more advanced and practical snow safety and backcountry topics. These classroom sessions will serve to provide conceptual frameworks to support field sessions throughout the winter.

 

avalanche education, aiare, avalanche course, backcountry ski, guide, ski touring

What to expect

Classroom Sessions in Conjunction with Field Sessions

Classroom sessions:

Evening classroom sessions are 6-8pm and cost $50 per session and enrollment is limited to 15 people. If you are enrolled in a field session in the 2024/25 season the classroom sessions are free.

Field Sessions:

To enroll in the field sessions there is no requirement to enroll in the classroom sessions but priority will be given to those who attend the classes. Field classes are limited to 4 participants and costs $249pp. Plan on a short 20 minute planning meeting after the classroom session for the following field session.

Continued involvement with the Avy 3 mentorship progression will open up our ability to enter into bigger terrain as we build trust and rapport among A3 cohort.

After your first session you will be included on communication about more advanced follow up opportunities involving participants throughout the Avy 3 program.  These are great opportunities to meet motivated skiers and riders and build your own effective teams.

2024/25 Classroom Curriculum Progression

Session 1 | The Conceptual Model for Avalanche Hazard

Monday, January 20 | 68pm | Location TBD

The “Conceptual Model for Avalanche Hazard” is the key document underpinning operational avalanche forecasting and hazard management in North America. To begin a higher level or risk assessment we need a higher level tool. This session will provide the more advanced underlying framework used in operational risk management. We will use this as the foundation to discuss further topics.

 
Session 2 | The Nature of the Problem

Monday, February 10 | 68pm | Location TBD

The reality is if you enter avalanche terrain you will encounter avalanches. The key decision point in any backcountry skier or riders career is deciding they want to accept that risk. Choosing to enter into terrain we must accept that we will encounter avalanche hazard and need to begin managing that hazard instead of avoiding it. Fundamental to that is a more intimate understanding of hazard, centered around the avalanche problem types. This session will focus on the nuance of the problems types and how they factor into our terrain selection and risk management.

Session 3 | Good Planning is Everything

Tuesday, March 11 | 68pm | Location TBD

In the mountains there is a reality—the nature of the geometry and the way the mountain snow environment manifests across it. And then there is what we expect to find there; unfortunately those two things are not always the same. Fundamental to our success as backcountry travelers is our ability to predict and plan for what we will encounter in the field. We need to train our ability to more accurately predict and plan for what awaits us. This session will focus on advanced touring planning resources relating to navigation as well as weather and snowpack forecasting.

sign up for a field session

Please make sure you meet the listed prerequisites and then use the booking tool to the right to join a program.  These programs are based on the Colorado Front Range, specific venues are group determined.

  • Completion of an AIARE 1 Course.  Or comparable experience.
  • Ability to ski or ride double black terrain in bounds.
  • Ability to tour 2500 vertical feet in a 6 hour tour.

What are you waiting for?