Snowmobile Level 1:
• December 13-15, 2013
• January 17-19, 2014 (Vagabond Ranch)
Backcountry Basecamp for Junior Big Mountain Riders:
• Dec 30-31, 2013
Level I: Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain
• December 20-22, 2013
• December 27-29, 2013
• January 3-5, 2014
• January 10-12, 2014
• January 31 - Feb 1, 2014
• March 21-23, 2014
Womens Level 1 with Backcounty Babes
• Jan 31-Feb 1, 2014
Level II: Analyzing Snow Stability and Avalanche Hazard
• Feb 27-March 2, 2014
(Hut Based)
• March 13-16, 2014
Level III: Advanced Avalanche Training for Professionals and Recreational Leaders
• March 2-8, 2014
AIARE Level 1 Instructor Training Course
• Jan 14-16, 2014
Custom Courses Available!
• Advanced Wilderness Life Support (with Level I)
• Mountain Weather Course
• Mountain Mentor Course
• Work crews
• Mining industry
• Public Lands agencies
• Military Training
• Executive Retreats
• College Groups
• Outdoor Clubs
• Friends & Family
.. Where the Snow Pros come to train. Since 1962 the Silverton Avalanche School has educated skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, ski patrollers, search and rescue personnel, and public safety personnel about the hazards of avalanches. Over 4,000 students have learned how to recognize avalanche hazards, determine snow stability, organize and carry out rescue operations and handle avalanche emergencies.
Silverton is the place to learn about avalanches and how to avoid them. At 9,318 feet, the town located in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, 50 miles north of Durango, Colorado. Silverton is surrounded by the best backcountry terrain in Colorado and numerous avalanche paths -- a natural avalanche laboratory -- providing students with an active and accessible classroom.
Our Courses
Our courses are taught by nationally recognized members of the American Avalanche Association (AAA), American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE), the Canadian Avalanche Association, and a host of mountain rescue specialists. The Silverton Avalanche School adheres to the AAA's Guidelines for Avalanche Course Curriculum. We are an AIARE Course Provider.
Why take a course from us? We bring in avalanche professionals with extensive experience in understanding avalanche fundamentals. Our Level 1 course focuses on the basics of safe backcountry travel and decision making in avalanche terrain. Students are immersed in a mountain setting for the entire course. Our Level 2 course brings in instructors who have operational experience guiding, forecasting and studying avalanche processes. We select the very best instructors. Many of our instructors have presented new methods at the International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW) and are active in researching the fundamentals of avalanche processes.
The Silverton Avalanche School is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public on how to play safe in avalanche terrain. All proceeds benefit San Juan County Search & Rescue.
