Education is a critical component to safety in avalanche terrain. The Friends of Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center has compiled a calendar of avalanche awareness events and classes open to the public. A number of certified professionals in the region offer group and private instruction to help backcountry travelers stay safe in avalanche terrain. We highly recommend anyone interested in exploring the mountains outside ski area boundaries, on skis, snowboards, or snowmobiles look into the courses available.
Also listed in our events calendar are community awareness gatherings, fundraising events, and important dates to remember through the season.
Avalanche classes in the Teton Region
Types of Classes Available
- Level 1: Covers the basics of avalanche hazard awareness and stability assessment.
- Level 2:Builds on what was learned in the level 1. Topics such as rescue, travel in avalanche terrain, snowpack metamorphism, and stability assessment are reviewed and covered in greater depth.
- Level 3: The highest level of formal avalanche training in the U.S. The focus of this course is efficiency and mastery of skills.
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From AAI: American Avalanche Institute is the oldest avalanche education school in the country, and is currently the largest private avalanche course provider. AAI teaches level 1, 2 & 3 avalanche courses, educating recreationists and professionals. These courses spend a significant amount of time – 60% or more – in the field, offering students opportunities for hands-on learning. Last year, AAI educated well over 1000 backcountry users, through Level 1, 2 & 3 avalanche courses, as well as avalanche awareness presentations in Jackson, Dubois, Idaho Falls and Driggs.
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From Exum: After guiding and teaching for 79 years, Exum Mountain Guides enjoys an unmatched reputation for excellence. The guide service has grown since those early years, but we still hire guides who are able to teach and inspire others. Our experience is now international. Collectively, our guides have climbed in the United States, Alaska, the Alps, the Andes, Antarctica, China, Tibet, the Karakoram, and, of course, throughout the Himalayas.
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From JHMG: Our winter guides are some of the most experienced avalanche educators in the country. We have accrued years of knowledge through our work as backcountry ski guides, ski-patrollers, heli-ski guides, Denali guides, AMGA examiners, and recreationalists. We are also seasoned teachers, who enjoy sharing our knowledge with those who are motivated to learn. Our diverse experience directs the evolution of our avalanche curriculum to provide the best avalanche education possible.
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From JHOLI: Jackson Hole Outdoor Leadership Institute’s (JHOLI) mission is to provide the highest quality training through applied educational programs related to avalanche awareness education and wilderness medicine. JHOLI aims to deliver educational programs to help better inform the recreational and professional backcountry user. We believe an organized educational effort can significantly reduce accidents, save time and money, and equip backcountry users with the necessary skills to become outdoor leaders who safely enjoy the Tetons and all mountain ranges.
