Membership Guidelines

Application review begins when a non-refundable application fee (equal to the dues of the member level you’re applying for) is paid and a complete application is received. If your application is approved, your application fee will be applied to your annual dues.

Completing the Online Application

Applicants for Pro and Affiliate membership must fully complete the "Avalanche Training & Experience" section of their membership profile in the A3 database, which serves as the application. The goal is to provide clear, detailed documentation of professional-level experience. The A3 database will prompt applicants for the following:

  • Avalanche-related employment (must include current and past positions, paid and volunteer work; must include employer names, job duties, number of days per season of active avalanche fieldwork, supervisor contact information, and dates of employment)

  • Avalanche-related professional references (must include two or three avalanche-related professional references with current email and phone contact information; references are particularly important for Pro applicants who are self-employed)

  • Avalanche courses you've taken and taught (must include course names, providers, and dates)

  • Avalanche research and/or publication contributions

    **Incomplete applications, including missing required details such as dates or contact information, will NOT be considered.

    **Please Note: Application fees are non-refundable - please familiarize yourself with the criteria before submitting your application.

Professional Member Criteria

Below is information for those considering Professional Membership with the American Avalanche Association (A3). Please read through it thoroughly.

Professional Membership requires:

  • Minimum of four years of professional avalanche work experience

  • One year is defined as at least 20 days of active avalanche work or avalanche-related fieldwork within a single season

What Counts as an Avalanche Workday?

To provide consistency and transparency, the A3 Board of Directors has adopted a standardized framework for evaluating avalanche work experience, as outlined in One Day of Avalanche Work Defined. The document includes:

  • Examples of work in the operations and planning categories within the risk management process

  • Clarification of activities that do not count as avalanche workdays, such as professional development, coursework, shadowing, or general non-avalanche duties.

  • General definitions of qualifying avalanche work for common employment sectors, including:

    • Ski Patrol

    • Education

    • Guiding

    • Industrial Forecasting

    • Public Forecasting

    • Consulting & Engineering

    • Media Production & Safety Consulting

    • Search & Rescue

    • Research

Affiliate membership requires:

  • Minimum of two years of fundamental avalanche experience and education

  • One year is defined as at least 20 days of active avalanche work or avalanche-related fieldwork within a single season

  • Affiliate members can be current professionals gaining the requisite experience to qualify for Pro membership or part-time avalanche workers or volunteers

  • Aspiring members who do not yet meet all of the criteria for Professional Membership may apply for Affiliate membership as they work towards these goals

Download: One Day of Avalanche Work Defined

Application Timelines

  • August 1st

  • October 1st

  • November 1st

  • January 1st

  • April 1st

  • June 1st

Professional Member Applications:

The A3 Membership Team reviews all professional applications and makes recommendations to the A3 Board of Directors for ratification during board meetings. Completed professional applications received by the dates above will be considered by the Board of Directors at the end of each month listed.

Affiliate Member Applications:

The A3 Membership Team reviews all affiliate applications. Completed affiliate applications received by the dates above will be considered at the end of each month listed.