Backcountry Skiing beartooth mountains montana

AVALANCHE LEVEL 1

Why should you take a Level 1 Avalanche Course with Beartooth Powder Guides?

  • We are leading the industry with a 5:1 and 3:1 (Mount Zimmer Yurt) client to guide ratio. This gives you an intimate experience with a skilled guide to get the most out of your course.
  • Once you’ve arrived in Cooke City you are in the mountains and ready to learn. Comparable courses require daily driving to access the field sessions.
  • Historically we have the deepest and most dependable snowpacks in Montana.

 

*All Level 1 Courses will offer a curriculum which exceeds the requirements by the American Avalanche Association. Beartooth Powder Guides is an accredited American Avalanche Association course provider. BPG will limit class size to 10. Your group will be instructed by 2 Lead Guides.

Hut Based Level 1

This hut based course is open for individual enrollment. Hut based courses will be based out of  The Woody Creek Cabin or Mount Zimmer Yurt above Cooke City, MT. The cabin is a 2.5 mile skin from Cooke City, and is situated within 1/4 mile of the Wyoming border and the North Absaroka Wilderness. The Mount Zimmer Yurt is located 8 miles north of Cooke City and is accessed via snowmobile shuttles. Both venues offer easy access to high elevation glades and alpine terrain alike, making this a great venue to learn about terrain and the snowpack while being fully immersed in the mountains for the duration of the course. This course is limited to groups of 10 for the Woody Creek Cabin and 6 for the Mount Zimmer Yurt. This course does not include food. Your guides will not be staying with you and will be traveling back to town in the evenings.

During the 3 days, participants will be exposed to techniques and skills required to be a competent backcountry partner. This will include a combination of lectures and field sessions, where students will get hands on experience in learning about snowpack layering, terrain management, weather elements, decision making, and rescue skills.

  • Cost:$679 / person at the Woody Creek Cabin or $769 / person at the Mount Zimmer Yurt.
  • Price includes 2 nights lodging. You will be responsible for your own food and cooking.
  • Price includes snowmobile shuttle to Mount Zimmer Yurt.
  • For Private courses email  info@beartoothpowder.com

Level 1 + POWDER Course Overview

The biggest complaint about Level 1 Avalanche Courses is that we never get to ski enough Powder 🙂 This is a 4 day Level 1 course. By adding a 4th day to the trip, we can cover all the necessary Level 1 topics and spend one day dedicated to POWDER skiing. * We will pick the day with the most optimal conditions to go POWDER skiing!

During the 4 days, participants will be exposed to techniques and skills required to be a competent backcountry partner. This will include a combination of lectures and field sessions, where students will get hands on experience in learning about snowpack layering, terrain management, weather elements, decision making, and rescue skills. PLUS a day of dedicated POWDER skiing!

 

In-Town Level 1 Overview

This 3 day course will be based in town and limited to 8 students per course. Our classroom time (40%) will be spent in our shop downtown and field sessions (60%) will be spent in the mountains above town. The town of Cooke City offers easy access to incredible and diverse terrain, making this a great venue to learn about terrain and the snowpack while enjoying the comforts of Cooke City in mornings and evenings before and after class. Beartooth Powder Guides is partnered with The High Country Motel and Elk Horn Lodge in Cooke City for lodging, so let them know you are attending one of our classes if you contact them for a room.

During the 3 days, participants will be exposed to techniques and skills required to be a competent backcountry partner. This will include a combination of lectures and field sessions, where students will get hands on experience in learning about snowpack layering, terrain management, weather elements, decision making, and rescue skills.

  • No Food or Lodging is included for this course
  • Course Limited to 8 Students
  • For Private courses email  info@beartoothpowder.com

 

Ladies Only Avalanche Level 1 Course

Interested in a Women’s Specific course? BPG offers Women’s Specific courses as well, click here!

 

 

Don’t see a date that works for you? Inquire at info@beartoothpowder.com for private courses.

 

Download Syllabus

  • Snowpack Layering and formation
  • Snowpack tests and other observations as they relate to the avalanche forecast
  • Terrain Identification (avalanche paths, slope shape, aspect, slope angle)
  • Terrain management (uphill & downhill travel)
  • Mountain Weather Concepts (wind, precipitation, temperatures)
  • Snow climates
  • Avalanche types and concepts
  • Decision making skills
  • Interpreting the Avalanche Bulletin (Hazard rating and type)
  • Beacon use and rescue training
  • Skiing powder!

This course is based on guidelines established by the American Avalanche Association

Avalanche Level 1

There are currently no courses scheduled. Check back next year!

Level 1 +Powder

There are currently no courses scheduled. Check back next year!

Ladies Level 1

There are currently no courses scheduled. Check back next year!

Ladies Level 1 +Powder

There are currently no courses scheduled. Check back next year!

Cancellation Policy

Deposits/payments are non refundable. If your reservation or your position in the class can be filled, a refund will be issued minus an $80 administrative fee. Alternatively, if we fill your position in the class or are able to re-book your reservation, you can receive a 100% credit toward future course enrollment, guiding or lodging fees. Please protect your investment and purchase travel insurance at the following links;

https://www.travelexinsurance.com or  https://www.travelguard.com/