Additional avalanche education resources
Friends of Berthoud Pass strongly encourages everyone to take an AIARE 1 (Avalanche Level 1) course before venturing into the backcountry on your own. For continuing education, we recommend the resources below.
Education Providers
Guide services and AIARE course providers we trust for hands-on avalanche training.
avtraining.org
AIARE — American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education
The national curriculum body for recreational avalanche education in the U.S. Use their course finder to locate an AIARE 1, AIARE 2, or Avalanche Rescue course near you.
coloradoadventureguides.com
Colorado Adventure Guides
Front Range–based guide service offering AIARE courses and custom backcountry instruction, including days on Berthoud Pass.
coloradomountainschool.com
Colorado Mountain School
Colorado's longest-running guide service, running AIARE 1 and 2, Avalanche Rescue, and awareness clinics across the state.
irwinguides.com
Irwin Guides
Crested Butte guide service running AIARE 1, AIARE 2, refresher, and hut-based avalanche courses in the Elk Mountains.
avyschool.org
Silverton Avalanche School
One of the oldest avalanche schools in North America, offering recreational and pro-track courses in the San Juans.
desertmountainmedicine.com
Desert Mountain Medicine
Wilderness medicine courses (WFA, WFR, and recertifications) — the medical training that pairs with avalanche rescue skills.
AIARE — American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education
The national curriculum body for recreational avalanche education in the U.S. Use their course finder to locate an AIARE 1, AIARE 2, or Avalanche Rescue course near you.
avtraining.org
Colorado Adventure Guides
Front Range–based guide service offering AIARE courses and custom backcountry instruction, including days on Berthoud Pass.
coloradoadventureguides.com
Colorado Mountain School
Colorado's longest-running guide service, running AIARE 1 and 2, Avalanche Rescue, and awareness clinics across the state.
coloradomountainschool.com
Irwin Guides
Crested Butte guide service running AIARE 1, AIARE 2, refresher, and hut-based avalanche courses in the Elk Mountains.
irwinguides.com
Silverton Avalanche School
One of the oldest avalanche schools in North America, offering recreational and pro-track courses in the San Juans.
avyschool.org
Desert Mountain Medicine
Wilderness medicine courses (WFA, WFR, and recertifications) — the medical training that pairs with avalanche rescue skills.
desertmountainmedicine.com
Free Safety Resources
High-quality avalanche education you can work through right now, at no cost.
kbyg.org
Know Before You Go
A free, fast-paced introduction to avalanche awareness — a great first step or annual refresher before a formal course.
avysavvy.avalanche.ca
Avalanche Canada — Avy Savvy
A free, interactive online tutorial covering avalanche formation, terrain, trip planning, and rescue.
avalanche.org
Avalanche.org — Online Avalanche Tutorial
A concise illustrated primer on how avalanches work and how to read the avalanche forecast.
backcountryaccess.com
Backcountry Access — Avalanche Avoidance Video Series
BCA's five-part "Backcountry Basics" video series: get the gear, get the training, get the forecast, get the picture, and get out of harm's way.
backcountryaccess.com
Backcountry Access — How to Use an Avalanche Beacon
Short training videos on transceiver search technique for single and multiple burials. Practice these before you need them.
coloradosar.org
Using an FRS Radio in the Backcountry
Colorado Search and Rescue Association's position paper on FRS and GMRS radio use for backcountry parties — channels, etiquette, and limitations.
youtube.com
AIARE + Outdoor Research Education Video Series
A YouTube playlist from AIARE and Outdoor Research covering decision-making, terrain, and the human factors behind avalanche accidents.
youtube.com
Accident Scene Evaluation and Patient Assessment
A walkthrough of what to do in the first minutes after an avalanche burial — scene safety, triage, and patient assessment.
mountaineers.org
Bruce Tremper — Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain
The definitive book on backcountry avalanche safety, organized to match American Avalanche Association coursework.
Know Before You Go
A free, fast-paced introduction to avalanche awareness — a great first step or annual refresher before a formal course.
kbyg.org
Avalanche Canada — Avy Savvy
A free, interactive online tutorial covering avalanche formation, terrain, trip planning, and rescue.
avysavvy.avalanche.ca
Avalanche.org — Online Avalanche Tutorial
A concise illustrated primer on how avalanches work and how to read the avalanche forecast.
avalanche.org
Backcountry Access — Avalanche Avoidance Video Series
BCA's five-part "Backcountry Basics" video series: get the gear, get the training, get the forecast, get the picture, and get out of harm's way.
backcountryaccess.com
Backcountry Access — How to Use an Avalanche Beacon
Short training videos on transceiver search technique for single and multiple burials. Practice these before you need them.
backcountryaccess.com
Using an FRS Radio in the Backcountry
Colorado Search and Rescue Association's position paper on FRS and GMRS radio use for backcountry parties — channels, etiquette, and limitations.
coloradosar.org
AIARE + Outdoor Research Education Video Series
A YouTube playlist from AIARE and Outdoor Research covering decision-making, terrain, and the human factors behind avalanche accidents.
youtube.com
Accident Scene Evaluation and Patient Assessment
A walkthrough of what to do in the first minutes after an avalanche burial — scene safety, triage, and patient assessment.
youtube.com
Bruce Tremper — Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain
The definitive book on backcountry avalanche safety, organized to match American Avalanche Association coursework.
mountaineers.org
Free, With Sign-Up
Also free, but you'll need to create an account to take the course.
utahavalanchecenter.org
Utah Avalanche Center — Avalanche eLearning
A free, self-paced online course from the Utah Avalanche Center — a solid pre-course primer or fall refresher. Free account required.
coloradomountainschool.com
Colorado Mountain School — Avalanche Awareness Clinic
A free introductory avalanche awareness clinic from Colorado Mountain School — registration required.
Utah Avalanche Center — Avalanche eLearning
A free, self-paced online course from the Utah Avalanche Center — a solid pre-course primer or fall refresher. Free account required.
utahavalanchecenter.org
Colorado Mountain School — Avalanche Awareness Clinic
A free introductory avalanche awareness clinic from Colorado Mountain School — registration required.
coloradomountainschool.com
Lessons On Why We Stay Vigilant
In-depth accounts of real avalanche accidents — the hardest and most valuable lessons.
avalanche.ca
Rescue at Cherry Bowl
Avalanche Canada's interactive case study of a fatal slide and the rescue that followed, with the key decision points laid out step by step.
nytimes.com
Avalanche at Tunnel Creek ("Snow Fall")
The New York Times' landmark multimedia account of the 2012 Tunnel Creek avalanche near Stevens Pass, which killed three expert skiers.
Rescue at Cherry Bowl
Avalanche Canada's interactive case study of a fatal slide and the rescue that followed, with the key decision points laid out step by step.
avalanche.ca
Avalanche at Tunnel Creek ("Snow Fall")
The New York Times' landmark multimedia account of the 2012 Tunnel Creek avalanche near Stevens Pass, which killed three expert skiers.
nytimes.com