Level I Refresher (Jan. 9, 2027)

Instructor: Troy Marino

The Level 1 refresher course updates skills and knowledge from Level 1 courses and answers questions that come up after applying that knowledge in the field. It is important for recreationists who took their Level 1 course several years ago, and it requires Level 1 as a prerequisite.

This refresher will cover:

• AAI Backcountry Checklist application

• Interpreting avalanche forecast bulletins

• Snow metamorphism review

• Snow behavior and avalanche mechanics

• Snowpack stability tests

• Route planning

• Recognizing avalanche terrain, route selection & travel techniques

• Human factors and how they influence decision-making

• Communication and group management in the backcountry

• Rescue scenarios and transceiver practice

This course may be canceled due to insufficient snow or inadequate enrollment.

All students must have an avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel. An analog or digital (phone app) inclinometer is also important.

The field portion of the course will be run by KPAC staff in the terrain surrounding Arizona Snowbowl.