American Avalanche Institute
Eastern Sierra AAI Level 2 Avalanche Course Overview

Our AAI level 2 Avalanche course in the Eastern Sierra is for experienced backcountry skiers and boarders who want to advance their avalanche awareness and further their decision makings skills in avalanche terrain. This is the avalanche course for those who wish to be leaders of small recreational groups and who wish to travel in more complicated avalanche terrain.

The avalanche level two course builds upon everything that was learned in the AIAI 1 course and it includes the AAI 1-day rescue course. There will be in depth discussion on weather, snowpack and avalanche processes with the goal of how to identify how they relate to observations and travel within avalanche terrain. We will also focus on how to develop solid travel plans in more remote areas without the help of online sources.

Our industry-leading AAI E avalanche instructors will take you to the next level of avalanche awareness and observation. Alpine Skills International is one of the largest avalanche course provider on the West Coast and the oldest avalanche school in California, you know you’re in good hands and receiving the best instruction available.

Upon completion of the AAI Level 2 avalanche course you will have an understanding of:

  • Avalanche rescue fundamentals (includes the AAI rescue course)

  • The mountain snowpack and metamorphism

  • Faceting, including formation of surface hoar and persistent weak layers

  • SkI & boarder triggering: theory and observations

  • International and national snow, weather and avalanche observation and recording guidelines (SWAG).

  • Stability analysis checklist

  • Trip Planning and hazard forecasting for avalanche terrain.

  • Forecasting stability and variability

  • Advanced Terrain selection and route finding

  • Site selection and relevancy

  • Spatial variability

  • Slope tests

This course includes 6 hours of online course work at your own pace and a 2 hour online meeting with your instructor in addition to 3 full days of field course work at various locations in the Mammoth Lakes and Eastern Sierra areas. The Eastern Sierra has an immense amount of avalanche terrain and provides the best field classroom in the State. You must have the ability to travel in avalanche terrain using skis or a splitboard and have basic knowledge of backcountry techniques and equipment and have taken an avalanche level one course.

Avalanche Education Elevated!

Looking for avalanche courses in the Lake Tahoe region? check out our Lake Tahoe Avalanche Courses

 
 
 

SKILL & EXPERIENCE LEVEL

For our AAI level 2 course you should be in very good physical shaped have the ability to use backcountry ski or snowboard equipment. Everyone will travel on backcountry skis or split boards. You also must have completed an avalanche level one course

2025 SCHEDULED DATES

The dates below are the three in-person field days. There will be online meeting from 530p to 730p the evening prior to the 1st field date.

January 24-26
February 28 - March 2

 


COST: $725

INCLUDES:

  • The AAI avalanche rescue course

  • Professional AAI trained avalanche instructors

  • Free use of all avalanche safety gear such as beacon, shovel & probe

  • Field book

  • Course manual

For more info on this trip please fill out the form below:

THE AMERICAN AVALANCHE INSTITUTE DIFFERENCE

The American Avalanche institute was founded in the winter of 1973/74 by Rod Newcomb in the Jackson, Wyoming area. Since then, AAI has taught thousands of backcountry travelers throughout Wyoming, Montana, Utah…and now California. The AAI curriculum has been refined and updated continuously over the years to bring you the most current trends in avalanche education built on top of the nation’s longest history of avalanche education.

Built upon a foundation of snow science and practical application, the highly respected AAI curriculum incorporates an atmosphere of immersion and highly experienced instructors who are working avalanche professionals. AAI instructors are coaches, role models and educators who are adept at allowing students to make appropriate real-world decisions in the backcountry. The practical AAI curriculum re-enforces a systematic approach to backcountry travel in avalanche terrain.

Recognition by the American Mountain Guides Association. As another example of AAI’s commitment to excellence in education, AAI pro level courses are recognized & audited by the AMGA.

American Avalanche Association membership. AAI is a member of the AAA, the governing body of avalanche curriculum providers in the United States. AAI avalanche programs are recognized by the AAA.

More Info on the American Avalanche Institute

THE INTERNATIONAL ALPINE GUIDES DIFFERENCE

For over 40 years the IAG/ASI team have been teaching avalanche education to backcountry skiers in Lake Tahoe & throughout California. We are Tahoe’s original avalanche school founded by the Bela & Mimi Vadasz in 1979. As one of the most experienced and most established avalanche schools in the nation, we bring to you the highest standards in the avalanche education industry, currently offering the AAI avalanche program.

Our avalanche Instructor team is among the most experienced in the avalanche education industry :

  • Professional Ski Guides. Our avalanche instructors are working ski guides, many with training or certification with the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA)

  • Avalanche Industry Professionals. They are professional members of the American Avalanche Association with a minimum of 4 years of experience working in avalanche terrain as ski guides, patrollers and/or forecasters.

  • Professional Educators, All of our instructors have a background in professional level teaching.

Our extensive worldwide skiing experience, adherence to the highest educational standards, as well as our approachable down to earth philosophy all combine to give you, our valued guests, the best avalanche education experience possible.

All of our mountain guiding and educational programs are developed and supervised by Internationally licensed IFMGA guide Dave Miller, our owner and technical director. Originally from the North Lake Tahoe area, Dave has over 30 years of personal backcountry skiing experience on the backcountry slopes of Lake Tahoe. We know Tahoe’s backcountry!