Why Take An Avalanche course?

Taking an avalanche course is recommended for anyone new to skiing and boarding in the backcountry. The place to start is the AAI Level 1 avalanche course where you will learn all the basics of staying safe in avalanche terrain. It is imperative that you have training in how to recognize avalanche terrain and unstable snowpack conditions as well as how to use resources such as the local avalanche forecast and weather reports. And of course it is important to know the basics of avalanche rescue.

To continue your avalanche education, theres the avalanche rescue course which provides more in depth instruction in avalanche rescue. If you really want to further your avalanche education and consider yourself a recreational leader in the backcountry, there is the avalanche 2 course which can give you the confidence to go further in the backcountry.

Why get your avalanche education with International Alpine Guides in Tahoe?

• Lake Tahoe’s Original Avalanche School
  A top local Tahoe mountain & ski guide service, we are the most experienced & respected avalanche school in Tahoe… for over 40 years we have taught thousands of backcountry skiers and boarders avalanche safety in the backcountry of the Tahoe & Truckee area.

• A3 Recognized Provider. We are proud to be a recognized and certified avalanche courser provider by the American Avalanche Association.

• The Most Practical & In-Depth Avalanche Safety Curriculum
  We teach the top American Avalanche Institute (AAI) curriculum…the nation’s most established avalanche education curriculum. In use much longer than AIARE, the AAI avalanche safety curriculum has been teaching backcountry skiers since 1974 how to make safe and appropriate decisions in avalanche terrain built on a foundation of current snow science AND practical application.

• More Experienced Avalanche Safety Instructors
  Our Tahoe-based avalanche instructor team represents a higher average level of real-world professional avalanche experience. Unlike AIARE, all of our avalanche instructors are all required to be avalanche professionals and working ski guides, most with AMGA training or certification. The avalanche safety instructor you are with in the field is the most important component of your avalanche education

Check out our article on the importance of gaining knowledge of avalanche conditions and safe backcountry travel

For avalanche safety instruction in the Eastern Sierra, check out our Mammoth Lakes Avalanche Courses

10% Off Sale!
Book from now through Sept 30th and save 10% off all scheduled courses a trips that begin after Dec 1st.
Use the code SALE2026 at checkout

Alps ski tours 5% off. Use code SKIALPS27 at checkout

Balance must be paid in full to receive discount. Cannot be combined with other discounts. Credits cannot be used for payment

Introductory Level Lake Tahoe Avalanche Courses

AAI Avalanche Level 1 Course
North Lake Tahoe/Truckee- 2 days
THE place to start your avalanche safety training. Learn how to be safe in avalanche terrain

AAI Avalanche Level 1 & Intro to Backcountry Combined Course
North Lake Tahoe/Truckee- 3 days
BOTH the intro to backcountry ski and board course & AAI level 1 avalanche course in one course

AAI Avalanche Rescue Course
North Lake Tahoe/Truckee - 1 day
Stand alone avalanche rescue course. Learn in-depth avalanche beacon rescue and more

Avalanche Level 1 Refresh
North Lake Tahoe/Truckee - 1 day
A refresh of your AAI or AIARE 1 avalanche course

Intermediate / Advanced Level Lake Tahoe Avalanche Courses