Save on Your Avalanche Safety Gear
Folks who sign up for an Alpenglow Expeditions avalanche safety course during the 2024-2025 season will receive a discount code at Alpenglow Sports. This code can be used online at alpenglowsports.com or at the Alpenglow Sports store and your order will be available for pickup or delivered directly to the Alpenglow Expeditions office for your convenience.
What is an Avalanche Course?
Avalanche courses are designed for recreational backcountry travelers who want to understand the basics of avalanche safety. Traditionally, avalanche courses are intended for skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, and snowshoers who are venturing into backcountry and "side country" recreation areas. More recently, avalanche education is being recommended for all skiers and snowboarders, even those who only recreate in the ski resort. A course would typically cover:
Avalanche Fundamentals: Understanding how avalanches form, including factors like snowpack, weather, and terrain.
Risk Management: Learning how to assess and manage avalanche risks. This includes identifying hazards, using avalanche forecasts, and making informed decisions.
Travel Techniques: Techniques for safe travel in avalanche terrain, including route planning and group travel strategies.
Rescue Skills: Avalanche rescue techniques, including the use of transceivers (beacons), shovels, and probes to locate and dig out buried victims. Practice
Format: Most courses usually include both classroom instruction and fieldwork. In the classroom, you’ll learn the theory behind avalanche formation and risk management. In the field, you’ll practice applying these skills in a real-world setting.
There are no formal prerequisites for beginner avalanche courses, but Alpenglow Expeditions and other providers will require participants to have a set list of gear and familiarity with it's usage, as well as demonstrable competence as an off-piste skier/rider in a variety of snow conditions with 5-10+ days of backcountry experience. This roughly equates to the ability to ski all blue and most black diamond runs in the resort. Further courses, mentorship, and experience are recommended for developing your skills and knowledge. Overall, avalanche education is a necessary starting point for anyone looking to safely enjoy backcountry skiing, splitboarding, mountaineering, and snowshoeing.
About Alpenglow Expeditions
Alpenglow Expeditions was founded in 2004 by IFMGA certified guide Adrian Ballinger. From the Himalaya to Lake Tahoe, Alpenglow leads expeditions across the mountain ranges of the globe in all disciplines including mountaineering, skiing, ski mountaineering and rock climbing. With over 40 international expeditions per year and a full menu of ski and rock climbing courses in Lake Tahoe, Alpenglow Expeditions’ core values are founded on providing a unique experience for each client who desires to explore mountains across the world. www.alpenglowexpeditions.com
About Alpenglow Sports
Alpenglow Sports is an original California Mountain Shop that has been providing locals and visitors with inspiration, local knowledge, and the best equipment to enjoy the outdoors for over forty years. Based in Tahoe City, Alpenglow Sports takes pride in being community-minded and socially and environmentally responsible to ensure Lake Tahoe stays one of the best places to play, live, and visit in California.