Avalanche Refresh Course, Mammoth Lakes, Overview

Been a while since your last avalanche 1 course? Our Avalanche Refresh Course in the Eastern Sierra is the best way to update your skills and knowledge to current standards. A great course or those who feel they need an update on their avalanche awareness skills, but who don’t necessarily want to take a longer level two avalanche course. And it’s highly recommended for anyone who’s last AAI level 1 AIARE 1 course was many years ago.

Our industry-leading American Avalanche Institute avalanche course instructors will update you on all of the basics of current avalanche awareness and snow stability evaluation that is key to making safe decisions. And we will also have a demo of the latest avalanche safety gear as well. As the 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.

Classroom session will include a review of:

  • Interpreting the local avalanche forecast

  • Map reading, tour plans & safety plans

  • The observations vhecklist

  • Personal & group gear check

Field session will include a review of:

  • Traveling in avalanche terrain, hazard recognition & decision making

  • Observations and information gathering

  • Stability & bonding tests

  • New rescue equipment demo

  • Complete rescue practice including multi-burial

The field course work is up in the extensive avalanche terrain surrounding Mammoth. You must have the ability to travel in avalanche terrain using skis or a splitboard and have basic knowledge of backcountry techniques and equipment.

We include your avalanche safety gear, such as avalanche beach, shovel & probe at no extra charge

 
 
 

SKILL & EXPERIENCE LEVEL

You must have previously taken a full AAI level one or AIARE 1 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 splitboards.

2025/2026 SCHEDULED DATES

December 20
January 3

 


 

COST: $270

INCLUDES:

  • Professional AMGA trained or certified mountain guides

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

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!