NAU PRM225 - Avalanche Training Level I (Feb. 2-4, 2024)

The Level I curriculum is designed to give participants a thorough, practical introduction to avalanches.

The American Avalanche Association’s Recreation Level I curriculum is intended to be a 24-hour course designed to give participants a thorough, practical introduction to avalanches as phenomena, and the skills to recognize the key conditions responsible for their occurrence. Additionally, participants will learn strategies for prudent decision-making and techniques for travel in avalanche terrain that will increase the odds of avoidance and survival. Since avalanches are complex and cannot be definitively predicted, the importance of efficient avalanche companion rescue skills will also be emphasized.

Please note that this course may be canceled due to insufficient snow.

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

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

There is an online meeting from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday evening before the weekend fieldwork. Weekend field days run from approximately 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. 

The classroom components are online modules developed by The American Avalanche Institute. Students will spend five to eight hours completing the online coursework. KPAC recommends that students complete the online course before the weekend field sessions. All online modules must be completed before receiving a Level 1 certificate. The online modules have optional "deep dives" for those wanting more information.

The Level I curriculum is designed to give participants a thorough, practical introduction to avalanches.

The American Avalanche Association’s Level I curriculum is intended to be a 24 hour course designed to give participants a thorough, practical introduction to avalanches as phenomena, and the skills to recognize the key conditions responsible for their occurrence. Additionally, participants will learn strategies for prudent decision-making and techniques for travel in avalanche terrain that will increase the odds of avoidance and survival. Since avalanches are complex in nature and cannot be definitively predicted, the importance of, and skills enabling efficient avalanche companion rescue will also be emphasized.

Please note that this course may be cancelled due to insufficient snow. You should not rely on this course to graduate in the spring.

All students must have an avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel.

There is an online meeting from 6:30PM to 8:00PM on Friday evening before the weekend field work. Weekend field days run approximately 8:00AM to 5:00PM. 

The field portion of the course will be run by KPAC staff in the terrain surrounding Arizona Snowbowl. We will be in a large group at the start and end of the day, but most of the time we will be in small groups of one instructor per four or five students.

The classroom components are online modules developed by The American Avalanche Institute. Students will spend five to eight hours to complete the online course work. KPAC recommends that students complete the online course prior to the weekend field sessions. All online modules must be completed prior to receiving a Level 1 certificate. The online modules have optional "deep dives" for those wanting more information.

Are there ID requirements for this particular course? YES, use your NAU Email Address when Registering, will help us with processing your enrollment in LOUIE for PRM 216 credit hours. 

Contact Aaron.Divine@nau.edu for more information.