Good/Cheap Level 1 Course In/Near Tahoe?

[Darkside]

Looking for a Level 1 avy course in the Tahoe area. Cheap is my number 1 priority. I've seen some for the school up at Sugar Bowl, and if remember correctly, it's somewhere around $800 for a weekend. I can't swing that right now, but I don't want to go into the BC as a total JONG this winter...Any suggestions?

[El Chupacabra]

Alpine Skills in Truckee has one for $275; a 2-day course. I'm planning on taking it sometime this winter.

http://www.alpineskills.com/avalanche1.html

[Darkside]

Alpine Skills in Truckee has one for $275; a 2-day course. I'm planning on taking it sometime this winter.

http://www.alpineskills.com/avalanche1.html

Nice, looks like I'll be all over the first open class.

[divegirl]

I took that course last winter at ASI in Truckee, it's awesome. It's right above The Backcountry. They don't teach you a whole lot about snow science, but mostly about how to prepare yourself before going into the backcountry. Both days include 4 hours hands-on/in the field. They do talk about snow crystals, and the differences you'll find within each of the geographic areas within North America, which is good. I highly recommend it.

[TurxSki]

but I don't want to go into the BC as a total JONG this winter...Any suggestions?

sorta...nothing as full on as you're looking for though.
But Sierra-at-Tahoe offers a program where you pay $25, on top of your lift-ticket and go out with a couple of patrollers.
They'll lend you an avalanche beacon, and give you a quick training in it's use.
Then off you go !
Quite a bit of hiking when we did it (no surprise, wish I'd had AT !) But the payoff is deep, fresh tracks, and the chance to ask them loads of questions.
Try and book one when a storm has been through.
...and try and avoid any Jocks in your party, we went out (party of 3) with a total "done this, done that" wanker, that ended up crashing over and over, and holding us up ! It was probably Ogre
Cindy & I will come out with you, if you like, if we're up there.

[divegirl]

Nice, looks like I'll be all over the first open class.

Actually, to get more out of it, I'd go a tad later, like right after New Years. When there's more powder to deal with, theoretically you'll be more prepared if you take a course in such conditions.....

[PNWbrit]

sorta...nothing as full on as you're looking for though.
But Sierra-at-Tahoe offers a program where you pay $25, on top of your lift-ticket and go out with a couple of patrollers.
They'll lend you an avalanche beacon, and give you a quick training in it's use.
Then off you go !
Quite a bit of hiking when we did it (no surprise, wish I'd had AT !) But the payoff is deep, fresh tracks, and the chance to ask them loads of questions.
Try and book one when a storm has been through.
...and try and avoid any Jocks in your party, we went out (party of 3) with a total "done this, done that" wanker, that ended up crashing over and over, and holding us up ! It was probably Ogre
Cindy & I will come out with you, if you like, if we're up there.

Please tell me this is supposed to be a joke

[cj001f]

Please tell me this is supposed to be a joke

They're just copying Kirkwood.

I took the ASI level one course about 8 years ago. The syllabus doesn't seem to have changed much; it's a good introductory course and not a bad place to start.

[onehotchili]

i've done Level 1 and Level 2 thru ASI (like 5 years ago). they are good and know their stuff.

one thought in favor of their earlier classes is that some of their more experienced guides tend to be around at that time. later in the season, some of them take off to go heli guiding in the Ruby's. just food for thought...

either way, their guys are good instructors etc. i regulary go BC with some of their former guides...

[chaka]

I think the L1 ASI course can vary alot depending on instructors. Same syllabus, but each instructor brings their own style, experiences to the table. I think Bela (owner of ASI) is a standard fixture, and they rotate the other person? I was lucky to have a guy named Tom Carter, who took the approach of teaching the basics, but sharing a ton of personal experiences that the class could really learn from. Maybe give them a ring and see if that guy is coming back this year...

All in all, a good, worthwhile experience for a starting point.

[Lee Murian]

I was lucky to have a guy named Tom Carter

Yes I would say you were lucky,TC is a legend...RedlineTraverse on skinny pins with Bardini...Pioneering big lines on minimal gear....

There's also courses from Shasta to the Sierra, cheaper and longer...I think ASI is the only option in Ta-Ho for a full on LI or LII

[Joey Bag O' Donuts]

If you want a great Avy course located in some of the best BC in the lower 48, I highly recommend the Sierra Mountain Center based out of Bishop, Ca. They are AMGA certified, and All SMC avalanche instructors are trained by the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) and hold AIARE level III certifications. They are also members of the American Avalanche Association and support both these organizations' efforts to improve and standardize avalanche awareness instruction. With this course, you will get a level 1 certification, as the course fulfills the 1999 requirements of the AAA (American Avalanche Association ) for a Level I course. Note: the length of a Level I course has been extended to three days from the two days of previous years. The course uses the curriculum developed by AIARE (American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education). Also to be aware of, you may see other courses around that are two days in length but some of these do not meet any professional requirements and they generally aren’t very comprehensive.
My Instuctor was Robert "SP" Parker, and I can't even emphasize on how well the program is outlined through the Curriculum in the classroom, as well as the field. If you want to gain the knowledge, start with the best for your level 1 foundation, you won't be dissapointed.

[Cirquerider]

There is an outfit (Mountain Adventures ) that conducts A.I.A.R.E. certified courses at Big Bear. The Ski/Board Avalanche Level I Seminar costs $250 and runs 2-days. They offer a bare bones (bunk style) lodging package with the course for $300. This course differs from their standard Level I seminar, because it includes on-snow work and requires advanced skiing skills and equipment. The standard course uses a low-level snowshoe/ski tour to complete the field portion of the course.

Does anyone here have experience with Mountain Adventure courses that would recommend/avoid them?

[Agent 00X]

Cheap: community college courses. Lake Tahoe Community College (South Lake) has a slew of outdoor courses including avy. Dave Beck, Sierra High Route guru has taught avy at LTCC in the past. I think North Lake/Truckee had a CC avy course too. Also cheap, (I might be totally wrong this is a guess) maybe if you get involved with Tahoe Nordic Backcountry Ski Patrol or some organization like that? Mammoth has/had a community course too.
list (Chill Winston):
http://www.tahoebackcountry.net/skiing/avy.htm

[phUnk]

sorta...nothing as full on as you're looking for though.
But Sierra-at-Tahoe offers a program where you pay $25, on top of your lift-ticket and go out with a couple of patrollers.
They'll lend you an avalanche beacon, and give you a quick training in it's use.
Then off you go !

If that is the extent of someone's avy "training," they have no fucking business being in the backcountry unless they are touring with someone very experienced.

Sounds like you're paying $25 to get just enough confidence to be a danger to yourself and others. Whoo!

[Greydon Clark]

I was lucky to have a guy named Tom Carter, who took the approach of teaching the basics, but sharing a ton of personal experiences that the class could really learn from.

Yes I would say you were lucky,TC is a legend...RedlineTraverse on skinny pins with Bardini...Pioneering big lines on minimal gear....

I'll third the big-ups to TC. Dude knew a ton, super nice, and had amazing slides. Only after the class, while reading guide books, did I realize what a bad-ass he is. Oh, ASI is pretty good too. Besides Any I, I did a Shasta trip with them (lead by Geoff Clark).

[onehotchili]

I'll third the big-ups to TC. Dude knew a ton, super nice, and had amazing slides. Only after the class, while reading guide books, did I realize what a bad-ass he is. Oh, ASI is pretty good too. Besides Any I, I did a Shasta trip with them (lead by Geoff Clark).

yeah... my plug earlier for ASI was directed towards Tom. typically he takes off in late Feb to lead clients on helicopter skiing in the Rubys. TC and the late Bardini were true ski mountaineering pioneers...

[Darkside]

Cheap: community college courses. Lake Tahoe Community College (South Lake) has a slew of outdoor courses including avy. Dave Beck, Sierra High Route guru has taught avy at LTCC in the past. I think North Lake/Truckee had a CC avy course too. Also cheap, (I might be totally wrong this is a guess) maybe if you get involved with Tahoe Nordic Backcountry Ski Patrol or some organization like that? Mammoth has/had a community course too.
list (Chill Winston):
http://www.tahoebackcountry.net/skiing/avy.htm

I've heard that CC's around here offer Avy courses, anyone have any more info? Sierra Nevada CC offers a weekend backcountry ski course that apparently features avy learnding, but is not a full Level 1 class. N. Lake/Truckee CC?

[cj001f]

There is an outfit (Mountain Adventures ) that conducts A.I.A.R.E. certified courses at Big Bear.

The run their stuff out of a building on Highway 4 by Bear Valley, not Big Bear. In my dealings they seemed competent; I've no direct experience with their avalanche classes.

ASI is an AIARE course provider; AMGA certification isn't particularly relevant to Avalanche Training as the AMGA relies on outside providers (like ASI) for avy courses. My ASI instructor was Norm Wilson - quite an amazing collection of slides.

[barney]

Sierra College in Truckee has a full on semester course with 4 days in the field. Dick Penniman teaches it, is very knowledgable. It is 4 hours a week of classroom and a great course. I think your level I cert. is available for doing well on the exams and attending all the field sessions. I think it might be overkill on the classroom time but too much avy knowledge is better than not enough.

[barney]

I just looked in the catalog, it is 4 credits on Monday nights, Jan 23-May 1, plus 52 field hours to be assigned. I took the class 12 years ago and still remember a ton of what was taught. The best part is if you are a CA resident and can prove it (I used my 1040) it is only $26 a credit. I think that if you plan on spending a lot of time in the BC or patrolling, this course is the way to go.

[TurxSki]

they have no fucking business being in the backcountry unless they are touring with someone very experienced...a danger to yourself and others. Whoo!

LIke I said, you go out with 2 patrollers total of 5 in our party. You do have to retreive a beacon, beforehand, and show 'em your style. You're never that far from the resort.
I think they see it as "showing you around" their bit of BC.
What bothers you so much about this ?

[PNWbrit]

LIke I said, you go out with 2 patrollers total of 5 in our party. You do have to retreive a beacon, beforehand, and show 'em your style. You're never that far from the resort.
I think they see it as "showing you around" their bit of BC.
What bothers you so much about this ?

Thread was about a level one avy course