Recreational Level 1 Mentorship
AVALANCHE TRAINING
The Level 1 Mentorship is designed to give the recreational tourer more experience with navigating through terrain. Some might think of this as a Level 1 + because you get everything from our hybrid course with an added field day. That means you spend extra time with our experienced guides mentoring you on the decision making process in the backcountry.
Our highly praised online learning module will set you up for success and get you dialed with the understanding of avalanche phenomena before the field days. The online learning component is student paced and must be completed before the start of the course. There will be Zoom meeting check-ins to answer any questions from the outline module, cover an equipment assessment and lay out our expectations for the field days.
The course format will emphasize practical avalanche awareness and safety measures through hands-on learning. The three field days allow for more discussion and practice from our experienced guides. The entire backcountry course will be based in Ketchum and the field portion in the mountains of the Wood River headwaters. The course format will comprise a mix of classroom theory and field practice while touring and evaluating avalanche terrain. Students will receive a certification of completion for a Level 1 Avalanche Training Course as outlined by the American Avalanche Association.
Tentative Schedule:
Day 1:
Avalanche rescue and an afternoon Instructor led tour with demonstration of both uphill and downhill group management, identifying avalanche terrain, and on the go field tests.
Day 2:
Morning lesson on Tour planning with CalTopo and a student-led tour using the skills from the previous day. An instructor demo of a snow pit with stability tests, followed by students practicing those skills.
Day 3:
Students plan a tour for the day and then take turns managing the group through uphill and downhill travel. They will practice using all of the skills demonstrated in the previous days.
DATES:
SEE OUR REC LEVEL 1 (2 DAY) COURSE or schedule a private!
**Please email jp@svguides.com to inquire about private avalanche courses or for any avalanche/education related questions. Min 4 people. Max 12. Pricing the same as public courses.
See also our TWO Field Day Recreational Level One Avalanche Course and our Recreational Level One - Hut Based Course
PREREQUISITES:
Backcountry touring experience, intermediate ability, and an understanding of basic Avalanche Awareness preferred.
TOPICS COVERED:
● Avalanche types, speeds, and motion
● Identifying avalanche terrain
● Avalanche problems
● Statistics
● Terrain features, shape, and size
● Snowpack development and change
● Weather’s impact on the snowpack
● Safe travel protocols
● Human factors
● Tour planning
● Decision making tools
● Interpreting the avalanche advisory
● Understanding basic stability tests
● Companion rescue
● Trailhead function check
● Route selection
RECOMMENDED READING:
Avalanche Essentials by Bruce Tremper
WHAT IS PROVIDED:
● AMGA certified and/or trained guide
● Guides will be carrying a first aid kit, navigation equipment, skin wax/scraper, inReach satellite device, repair kit, bivy/rescue sled and survival supplies
WHAT YOU NEED:
See EQUIPMENT LIST
TYPICAL MEETING TIMES AND PLACE:
Full Day 8AM-5PM
Meet at the Sun Valley Guides Headquarters
PRICING:
$635/PERSON
*Guest to Guide ratio is 5:1 | Min. 4 | Max. 12
**Sales Tax and Forest Service fees not included
***Guide gratuity not included. As part of the service industry, it is customary to tip your guide(s) if you are happy with their service and should reflect a level of excellence in the service. If you choose to tip, 10-20% of the total trip fee is standard and cash/Venmo is the preferred method.
RENTALS (SKIS, SPLITBOARDS, BOOTS, AVALANCHE EQUIPMENT, BACKPACKS, ETC.):
Sturtevants Rental & Cycle Haus (mention you are going out with Sun Valley Guides to receive a discount)
(208) 726-4501
340 N Main St, Ketchum, ID 83340
Backwoods Mountain Sports
(208) 726-8818
711 N Main St, Ketchum, ID 83340
Elephant’s Perch
(208) 726-3497
280 N East Ave, Ketchum, ID 83340
Board Bin (carries Splitboard setups for rent)
(208) 726-1222
180 4th St E, Ketchum, ID 83340