Learning to LEAD in Avalanche Terrain (3.5 day program)

Created to meet the needs of advanced backcountry users and meticulously refined based upon our alumni’s feedback, this capstone experience represents the pinnacle of training for recreationalists in the United States.

Silverton Avalanche School’s REC Level Two is an experiential curriculum, rooted in international best practice, offered in unparalleled field locations, and led by preeminent snow safety and mountain professionals. SAS is proud to offer the most comprehensive, robust and student centered Level Two experience available for backcountry recreationalists. This course encourages students to identify their needs and areas for additional skill development as instructors support students via individualized training and learning goals.

*New for 26/27: all REC-2 courses will spend a day at Silverton Mountain. This allows us to significantly decrease our 'approach' time. We now get a lot more time in alpine terrain to dig pits, move through terrain, and discuss real-world right-here-right-now decisions. As a bonus this also means we will get to ski some of the best terrain in the world!

The SAS REC Level Two provides a comprehensive, highly personalized learning experience that focuses on our students’ ability to: 

• Competently assess terrain of consequence

• Understand risks, hazards, exposure and vulnerability in the backcountry

• Confidently facilitate in-field communications and decision making 

• Refine micro and macro route finding and terrain management strategies recognize and address uncertainty with self and others

• Analyze the snowpack and anticipate avalanche problems, sans avy bulletin

• Lead tour planning and the development of time control plans

• Efficiently solicit observations and options from your teammates

• Be proactive in planning for rescue and emergency situations

Schedule:

Day 1: This is an evening session at our Silverton Classroom. We will meet from 6pm to 8pm. After years of adjusting this schedule we find that this is the best balance of time and learning. We spend this time reviewing the REC-1 curriculum and getting ready for the following morning.

Day 2: Silverton Mountain! We will meet bright and early, have a morning meeting, then head to the Mountain. Students get a bit of behind the scenes as to how a professional operation approaches terrain, weather, and snowpack before getting on the lift. We will assess terrain and begin our deep dive into snow science.

Day 3: We will spend the morning in the classroom reviewing what we saw yesterday, then push into new material: advanced weather forecasting, terrain (digital navigation/mapping, terrain id), and snowpack (going much further down the rabbit hole than a REC-1). In the afternoon we will head into the mountains to practice new skills.

Day 4: This is where the REC-2 magic happens. We will have a short morning meeting to confirm our plan then spend the whole day high in the peaks with a real conditions dependent objective. We will work with you to let students drive the day and move our new theoretical knowledge into application in the mountains.

All Level Two courses require previous completion of a one day Avalanche Rescue course, in addition to a Level 1, as students are expected to complete a rescue test and participate in emergency scenarios throughout the course.