Avalanche Basics
Learn the basics of avalanche safety and science, from recognizing terrain to understanding best in-field practices to identifying warning signs.
Course Overview
Course Description
This fully online course introduces the fundamentals of avalanche education, covering avalanche types, terrain, weather, essential gear, understanding forecasts, and trip planning. It’s the ideal first step for your initial season of ski touring, preparation for a REC 1 avalanche course, or a practical refresher. Designed for beginners through intermediate backcountry skiers, it builds a strong foundation for safe travel in avalanche terrain.
Course Modules
This module provides an overview of the essential equipment required for safe and efficient backcountry travel. Students will learn about avalanche rescue gear, ski travel equipment, pack systems, clothing strategies, and the additional items necessary for comfort and preparedness in the field. Gear recommendations and practical guidance help students make informed decisions when assembling their own backcountry kit.
This module introduces the fundamental concepts of avalanches, including how and why they occur, the different types and classifications, and the key factors that contribute to avalanche hazard. Students will explore the avalanche triangle, review accident statistics, and examine the role of human decision-making in avalanche incidents. A real-world case study reinforces these lessons by illustrating how these elements interact in the field and the risks they present to backcountry travelers.
This module focuses on how terrain influences avalanche hazard and how to recognize safer versus more dangerous environments. Students will learn to evaluate slope angle, aspect, elevation, slope shape, and terrain traps, and how each factor affects avalanche likelihood and consequences. By understanding these terrain features, students develop the foundation for making better terrain choices in the backcountry.
This module teaches students how to find, interpret, and apply avalanche forecasts and weather information to their trip planning. Students will learn how to break down a forecast, understand the North American Danger Scale, and navigate real examples from the Utah Avalanche Center and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. By the end of the module, students will be able to use these resources to make more informed and safer decisions in the backcountry.
This module outlines a practical framework for planning and executing backcountry tours with a focus on managing avalanche risk. Students will learn structured decision-making rituals at home, at the trailhead, and in the field, along with strategies for identifying and avoiding hazardous terrain. The module also emphasizes post-tour reflection and risk management principles to help students continuously improve their judgment and decision-making.
Student Testimonials
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Avalanche Basics
Frequently Asked Questions
You can find your login information within the email that you initially signed up with. Additionally, you can find the login link in both the resources tab of the main menu as well as at the bottom of the website.
If you purchase a course through the Mountain Training Center, you own it for life. This means that you will be able to go back and learn year after year.
You can use a desktop, laptop, tablet, and even a mobile device to watch your course. For mobile devices, simply download the app “Teachable” and use your login credentials.
You can simply leave a comment below the video within the course and the instructor will get back to you with a response. Your question and their answer will be available for all students to see in the future.
