20% off on Avalanche Courses through AAI

**powstash** · 11-17-2006, 05:36 PM

Just a heads up for anyone looking to take a Level 1 or 2 course this year in the Jackson, Utah or Montana areas. This message will be going out in an e-mail to all our customers next Tuesday. I wanted to give you guys the heads up.

Backcountry.com has teamed up with the American Avalanche Institute to offer any of our customers 20% off of this winter when they sign up for a course.

You'll just need to make a copy of your latest receipt or print out an order from your order history and then send it in with your registration form. Check out thier site for course dates.

American Avalanche Institute

**hutash** · 11-17-2006, 09:42 PM

Why no courses in California...oh ya, we don't have any snow. I am planning on a level one class with Sierra Mountain Center if it ever snows.

**~mikey b** · 11-17-2006, 10:15 PM

hey - nice work powstash

I took an AAI Level 2 a couple of years ago at The Canyons - it was very good. I highly recommend them. Very professional, and very fun.

**FrankZappa** · 11-18-2006, 03:03 PM

Apparently no love for the Coloridiots either (sigh).

Oh well, since most avalanche accidents happen here... might as well keep the stats up.

**~mikey b** · 11-18-2006, 10:50 PM

UT, WY & MT is pretty good coverage for one company, and powstash and the gang can only do so much as far as hooking folks up

Besides, it's always worth traveling for an avalanche class, especially a more advanced class. Good way to see new snow, ski new mountains, and meet new people. I went from AK to UT for Level 2 and CA for National Avalanche School and both were very worth the trip.

**upallnight** · 11-19-2006, 12:29 AM

nice work, powstash! that is a great thing for all people who are on-the-fence about taking a class. what a way to say 'thank you' to your customers.

no L3 discount?

**powstash** · 11-21-2006, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by upallnight

nice work, powstash! that is a great thing for all people who are on-the-fence about taking a class. what a way to say 'thank you' to your customers.

no L3 discount?

L3 costs a bit more for them to run. All you PHD types are expensive.

Suck it up and get yourself edumacated already.

**upallnight** · 11-22-2006, 02:08 AM

seriously...AAI courses are fantastic, and some of the people you will be learning from are LEGENDARY!

rod newcomb has been backcountry skiing for 60+ years, and he's incredibly funny.

get on this deal -- and give that support to backcountry.com. any company that figures out ways to help educate (and save lives of) its customers deserves support.

**~mikey b** · 11-22-2006, 09:03 AM

Originally Posted by upallnight

seriously...AAI courses are fantastic, and some of the people you will be learning from are LEGENDARY!

rod newcomb has been backcountry skiing for 60+ years, and he's incredibly funny.

get on this deal -- and give that support to backcountry.com. any company that figures out ways to help educate (and save lives of) its customers deserves support.

Not just Rod Newcomb, but also Mark Newcomb & Tom Kimbrough (another old avalanche goat)

**upallnight** · 11-22-2006, 12:00 PM

and ron matous and robbie fuller and, and, and.....

every single one of their instructors are amazing and have been in the game a long time!

**Ermine** · 11-22-2006, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by upallnight

seriously...AAI courses are fantastic, and some of the people you will be learning from are LEGENDARY!

rod newcomb has been backcountry skiing for 60+ years, and he's incredibly funny.

I'll second that. The best avie course I took was from Rod and Kelly Elder. Took my level II from the NSP...not near as good (mainly because I'm not interested in organized rescue, the emphasis of the NSP). I understand the UAFC puts on some good courses as well.

**hoarhey** · 11-26-2006, 05:38 PM

Anyone take a class from Mike Ruth?
Level I Class will be at the Canyons from Jan 5-7.

PM me with opinions/feedback if you prefer, thanks.

**~mikey b** · 11-26-2006, 07:16 PM

Mike Ruth was one of the instructors for my Level 2 at The Canyons. Very good. You'll probably also have Jake Hutchinson - Canyons snow safety director. He's a cool guy and really knows his stuff. That will be a fun class.

**hoarhey** · 11-26-2006, 09:44 PM

Thanks for the feedback telemike. I tentatively am going to go with that class.

I am still a bit on the fence between the AAI course and the level 1 through UAC at Brighton. If I was a UT local, then I might be more tempted to do the UAC course. The timing works best for me with the Mr. Ruth's AAI course.

Thanks to Powstash (and backcountry.com) for hooking up the mags.

**powstash** · 11-26-2006, 11:17 PM

Originally Posted by whorehey

Thanks for the feedback telemike. I tentatively am going to go with that class.

I am still a bit on the fence between the AAI course and the level 1 through UAC at Brighton. If I was a UT local, then I might be more tempted to do the UAC course. The timing works best for me with the Mr. Ruth's AAI course.

Thanks to Powstash (and backcountry.com) for hooking up the mags.

No prob.

Re: AAI or UAC course - one thing to ask yourself is which course will suit the terrain you'll more often ski. The Canyons course will be a mid elevation (8000-10,000') snowpack and more terrain traps, rollovers, etc. The Brighton one will be mid to upper elevation (9500-11,000') snowpack which this year will be a more advanced or tricky snowpack given the early snow that is rotten.

That said, Mike is a SOLID instructor, as are the UAC guys.

**hoarhey** · 11-27-2006, 10:12 AM

Thanks Powstash for another reference for Mike.

Since I live in the flatlands (Chicago) with not as many days per year as I would like (20-30), I'll probably do the AAI course.

Best to get the basic knowledge first.