Avalanche Education in the U.S.
A3 certifies professional avalanche training programs to ensure programmatic quality, consistency, and up-to-date curriculum content. The organization maintains avalanche education standards and scientific recording methodologies in the United States. A3 Guidelines for Avalanche Education in the United States provide a common framework for recreational and professional avalanche courses. These guidelines address courses like Avalanche Awareness, Level 1, Avalanche Rescue, Level 2, Pro 1, Pro 2, and ProSAR.
A3 recommends that all winter backcountry users begin their training with an optional Avalanche Awareness course, then proceed to Level 1, and Avalanche Rescue. Aspiring backcountry leaders can continue with a Level 2 course. Professional avalanche workers progress to Pro 1, Pro 2, and ProSAR, depending on their specific industries. A3 also has guidelines for snowmobile-specific courses, so motorized users can progress from an awareness course to introductory field-based avalanche and companion rescue courses. These programs provide excellent resources for backcountry users, and aspiring avalanche professionals.
Course providers who meet A3 guidelines for course content can be listed on the Avalanche.org website. In order to be listed as course providers, educators complete an application, including a self-evaluation of their curriculum’s adherence to A3 guidelines and course syllabi for each listed course. Applications are reviewed by the A3 Course Provider Review Committee. Listing qualified course providers allows the public to connect with local, consistent, high-quality avalanche educational resources and opportunities.
A3 Pro Member Lel Tone, teaching the finer points of flux lines to an all women's, SAFE AS Clinic in Steven's Pass, WA. Photo: Re Wikstrom
U.S. Avalanche Education Course Structure
U.S. Recreational Course Providers
The American Avalanche Association believes that avalanche education can be conducted more thoughtfully, consistently and responsibly, and can achieve more constructive outcomes for students when course providers and avalanche instructors working in the United States strive to embrace common guidelines and practices. Listed recreational course providers are Professional A3 Members who've completed and agreed to the Course Provider Evaluation and Listing Agreement Terms which ensure consistent and high-quality avalanche education.
U.S. Recreational Course Provider Guidelines
U.S. Recreational (Rec) Course Providers’ classes follow specific guidelines set forth by A3 in order to be listed. Rec courses include Avalanche Awareness, which covers general information about avalanche hazard, avoidance, and equipment and are geared toward the general public; Level 1: Avalanche Fundamentals; and Level 2: Avalanche Processes and Leadership, among others. Rec course providers who educate the public on snowmobile-specific safety can be listed, too, and have their own set of course guidelines to follow for material such as Introduction to Avalanches and Companion Rescue Clinic. For more details on courses and their guidelines, please use the links below.
U.S. Pro Training Providers
A3 Pro Training Program is an industry-designed program that is an important piece in the training puzzle to help our industry continue to improve on our collective professionalism. A3’s program complements in-house training opportunities, specific on-the-job experience, ongoing professional mentorship, and other sources of continuing professional development. It is important to note that the Pro Training Program does not replace these other integral pieces of the professional avalanche training puzzle but, rather, works in a collaborative, complementary manner to increase the effectiveness of all training for avalanche professionals. With the development and launch of this new program, A3 and stakeholders are not saying that prior training and experience are not valuable or relevant; we are saying that we can do better as an industry as we move into the future.