Rec Level 2 Avalanche Course

Become a confident backcountry leader. We take the foundation students have created in their Avalanche 1 course and go much more in-depth with snowpack assessment, terrain evaluation, decision making, and tour planning. Our Level 2 Avalanche Course focuses on personalized instruction and getting lots of mileage skiing in the backcountry with SAS instructors and AMGA trained ski guides.

Length: Four full days

Open Enrollment Pricing

Our Rec Level 2 courses for the 2022-23 season are a hut-based experience, with breakfast, dinner, and lodging included in pricing.

Thelma Hut: $1,499/student
(8/8 spots available)

OPUS Hut: $1,150/student
(10/15 spots available)

Click here for more information on Mountain Trip’s avalanche education, or to book your course.

Rec Level 2 Course – Hut Based

Pre-Course: Self-paced online study module (optional)

Day 1

8:30 a.m. Meet at Classroom Location

• Introductions

• Course overview

• Gear check

9a.m.-12 p.m. Avalanche Rescue Assessment

• Companion rescue drills

• Feedback and skills refinement

12-4 p.m. Travel to Hut

6 p.m. Group Dinner at Hut

Day 2

8 a.m. Breakfast at Hut

8-10 a.m. Content Review 

• Weather

• Snowpack

• Terrain

• Tour Planning

10 a.m.-12 p.m. Depart for Simple Tour 

12-4 p.m. Field Session: Snowpack Assessment

4 p.m. Debrief and Learning Reflection

*Day 2 Homework: Small group tour planning

Day 3

8 a.m. Breakfast at Hut

8:30-9:30 a.m. Review Tour Plans

9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Full-Day Tour

• Advanced snowpack observations

• Advanced terrain observation

• Leadership and decision-making

4 p.m. Debrief and Learning Reflection

Day 4

9a.m.-4 p.m. Full-Day Backcountry Tour

• Complex route navigation

• Terrain management

• Snowpack assessment

4 p.m. Course Debrief and Closing Remarks

Please note: Course itineraries are approximate and subject to change due to weather conditions, group abilities, and other elements outside of our control.

Jan. 2-5, 2023 at the OPUS Hut
Feb. 7-10, 2023 at the Thelma Hut