Robb Morrow
ESR Avalanche Program Administrator
esr.avalanche@gmail.com
Avalanche Course Descriptions
Avalanche courses are provided to educate and train both ski patrollers as well as the skiing public. The Level 1 Avalanche for Rescue Personnel course is organized as a foundation course and an introduction to snow science, the human factors associated with sound decision making, and understanding the risks and hazards associated with backcountry travel in the Sierras. Most all resorts within the Eastern Sierra Region have terrain requiring risk management for safe travel.
The Level 1 and Level 2 courses are Certificate of Completion courses, and require a minimum of course hours to meet industry standards (American Avalanche Association). Courses are frequently taught over several consecutive days or split into multiple weekends.
Level 1 Avalanche for Rescue Personnel:
The Level 1 focus is on selecting safe routes, safe travel techniques, companion rescue, and organized group rescue. This course requires approximately 28 to 32 hours of classroom and field sessions, 60% in the field, and introduces the student to snow pit profiles and the relationship of Weather, Terrain, Snowpack, and human factors as they relate to travel in avalanche terrain. L1ARP provides techniques and tools for recognizing the degree of hazard in avalanche terrain. The course will also provide you with skills and information to help make the go/no go decisions for an intended route in the backcountry.
Level 2 Avalanche for Rescue Personnel:
Students who participate in the Level 2 Course will be required to perform terrain hazard assessment and risk management skills introduced in their Level 1 course. Integration of trip planning, forecasting, hazard recognition, terrain selection, and snow stability tests are the foundation skills that are studied further. The Level 2 course may require 40 hours or more with a combination of classroom and field sessions, 60% of the course is in the field. The learning objectives are:
- Backcountry team leader
- Introductory professional skills for ski patrol or mountain guide
- Advanced understanding of mountain snowpack
- Advanced rescue skills
- Improved decision-making and terrain recognition skills
- Adds snow stability evaluation to hazard/risk management model
- Defines professional observation skills, Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Observations
This course is designed for the L1 graduate who has had a bit of experience in the backcountry, or with avalanche control work, making decisions and wants to take their knowledge to the next level.
Avalanche Course Registration
This form is for use to register for an avalanche course in the Eastern Sierra, Mother Lode or Northern California regions of the Far West Division of the NSP. Please complete the requested information below, which will be forwarded to the instructor of record who will then process your request to attend the selected avalanche course. Specific course details will be forwarded to you.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Use this form to register for an avalanche course in the Eastern Sierra or Northern California regions of the Far West Division of the NSP. Complete the requested information, and the instructor of record will process your request to attend the selected avalanche course. Specific course details will be forwarded to you by the instructor of record.
Course Fees:
The fees for each course depends upon the type of course, books and equipment, and location. Members of the NSP receive reduced fees for all courses.
This application cannot be processed without valid signature on the Event Release and Assumption of Liability documents. These documents will be forwarded to you via email once you complete the following form. Once those documents are received, course fees are due. To confirm the course registration process, speak with the Instructor of Record.
Course Materials:
Course fees may include some of these materials, contact the instructor to identify which materials will be used for the course. Each course may also include a pre-course study guide and exam to complete the course. Pre-course study is necessary to gain the greatest amount of knowledge from the course. Satisfactory completion of pre-course study materials, reading the assigned materials are essential to receive a certificate of completion.
Level 1:
- Snow Sense 5th Edition By Jill Fredston and Doug Fessler $7.00
- Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain by Bruce Tremper. $19.00 (optional by instructor)
- Avalanche Rescue Fundamentals, 2nd Ed by Atkins & Ballard available from the NSP, 2010 edition $14.00
- Backcountry Avalanche Safety: A Level 1 Summary SKU #510 $7.50
- Avalanche Rescue Quick Guide - SKU #511 $5.00
- Misc snow science publications provided by the instructor
Level 2
- Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain by Bruce Tremper. $19.00
- The Avalanche Handbook, 3rd Ed by David McClung $15.00
- Avalanche Rescue Fundamentals, 2nd Ed by Atkins & Ballard $14.00
- Snow, Weather and Avalanches: Observation Guidelines for Avalanche Programs in the United States (SWAG) $20.00
- Avalanche Rescue Fundamentals, 2nd Ed by Atkins & Ballard available from the NSP, 2010 edition $14.00
- Backcountry Avalanche Safety: A Level 1 Summary SKU #510 $7.50
- Avalanche Rescue Quick Guide - SKU #511 $5.00
- Misc snow science publications provided by the instructor
2011-2012 Avalanche Course Calendar
Northern CA Region:
Level 1 avalanche for rescue personnel is scheduled for Mt. Shasta on January 27/28/29. Contact esr.avalanche@gmail.com
Eastern Sierra Region / Lake Tahoe Area:
Level 2 avalanche for rescue personnel 22110 - is scheduled for Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley and Sugar Bowl on February 11/12 and 25/26. Contact esr.avalanche@gmail.com
Level 1 avalanche for rescue personnel is scheduled for Donner Ski Ranch & Northstar on January 7/8 and 21. Contact esr.avalanche@gmail.com
Level 1 avalanche for rescue personnel is scheduled for Heavenly Mountain on February 12 and 25/26. Contact esr.avalanche@gmail.com
Level 1 avalanche for rescue personnel is scheduled for Tahoe Backcountry on January 28/29 & February 4. Contact esr.avalanche@gmail.com
Level 1 avalanche for rescue personnel is tentatively scheduled for Nevada County SAR on January 24/26 (classroom) and 28/29 (field). Contact esr.avalanche@gmail.com
Level 1 avalanche for rescue personnel. Courses maybe scheduled depending on interest and instructor availability for Squaw Valley and Sierra at Tahoe. Contact esr.avalanche@gmail.com
Level 1 avalanche for rescue personnel is tentatively scheduled for Marin County SAR during February. Course dates are yet to be determined. Contact esr.avalanche@gmail.com
North Mother Lode Region:
Level 1 avalanche for rescue personnel is scheduled for Donner Ski Ranch & Northstar on January 7/8 and 21. Contact esr.avalanche@gmail.com
Central – South Mother Lode Region:
Level 2 avalanche for rescue personnel is scheduled for China Peak on March 3/4 and 10/11. Contact esr.avalanche@gmail.com
Level 1 avalanche for rescue personnel 22269 - is scheduled for Pinecrest Nordic on January 21/22 and 28. Course locations are at Pinecrest and Castle Peak, respectively. Contact esr.avalanche@gmail.com
Level 1 avalanche for rescue personnel is tentatively scheduled for China Peak. Course dates are yet to be determined. Contact esr.avalanche@gmail.com
Beacon Training
Alpine Meadows – A beacon park will be located on the mountain once the snow depth allows. Contact the ski patrol for the beacon park location and tips on sound beacon search techniques.
Heavenly - A beacon park will be located on the mountain once the snow depth allows. Contact the ski patrol for the beacon park location and tips on sound beacon search techniques.
Homewood - A beacon park will be located on the mountain once the snow depth allows. Contact the ski patrol for the beacon park location and tips on sound beacon search techniques.
Northstar – A beacon park will be located on the mountain once the snow depth allows. Contact the ski patrol for the beacon park location and tips on sound beacon search techniques.
Mt. Rose – A beacon park will be located on the mountain once the snow depth allows. Contact the ski patrol for the beacon park location and tips on sound beacon search techniques.
Sierra at Tahoe - A beacon park will be located on the mountain once the snow depth allows. Contact the ski patrol for the beacon park location and tips on sound beacon search techniques.
Squaw Valley - Introductory beacon training on the 1st & 15th of the month, December 2011 to April 2012. Loan beacons are available for practice. For more information just show up to the Pro Patrol room, which located upstairs from the National Patrol Locker Room. Training sessions start after sweep at 5:30 PM. Any questions call Wes Schimmelpfennig: 530-525-5813.
To find current avalanche advisories for the Sierra Nevada Mountains, go to the Sierra Avalanche Center
