Avalanche courses--Are they necessary?

[KSH]

how can you get a corse set up in a state with no mountains[wis] we definatly have enuf people who could attend[10-15] that i no of in a 30 mile area by me alone.

PM snowww1, if you get enough people signed up, he will do a private class.

 

[zacs]

Jan 23 - 2 hr Avy Seminar at Red Deer Power Sports, Alberta

Yep....couldn't agree more.
Everyone that we teach walks away shaking their head saying "wow, I can't believe how much I didn't know....Most of it is common sense...but until someone points it out...I wouldn't have even thought about it that way....It should be mandatory to take this training."

This year our classes have been booked solid. We have had to close classes and schedule new ones. It is awesome as more riders are coming out with their whole riding group for the training. The perfect way to do it.
Avalanche safety isn't about a 'Safety Dude' keeping everyone in the group safe...it is about everyone in the group buying into the current avalanche conditions and the expectation about terrain choices and travel habits for each riding day. Avalanche safety is about choices and timing. We can choose the day...the staging area...the group we travel with...the habits we practice...the info we gather...the slopes we ride...

For those that are in the Alberta, BC, and SK, check out our avalanche training schedule. We run similar itinerary each year. Attend a regularly scheduled class or gather up a group and create a custom program in your own community.

For a complete list of classes follow this link.
http://www.zacstracs.com/course-details/

The next class is a 2 hr avalanche seminar at Red Deer Power Sports. The fee is only $25/family...bring the clan. Each family will receive an AVALUATOR (additional AVALUATORS may be purchased for $10) and we will learn how to use this new decision making tool.

For more information about the Seminars and the AVALUATOR click on the following links.
http://zacstracs.com/CAC-Outreach/
http://zacstracs.com/file_download/181

Click here to see a cool picture of storm snow instability from one of our December avalanche field sessions.

To register please email snowmobile@avalanche.ca or call Lori at 403-850-3042.

Enjoy the season!

 

[PCDOC]

how can you get a corse set up in a state with no mountains[wis] we definatly have enuf people who could attend[10-15] that i no of in a 30 mile area by me alone.

We had the same problem. The closest course I had ever found was 4 hrs away. We still had to drive 2 hrs for the one we just took, but it was worth it.

The snowww1 user name mentioned is Mike Duffy. He taught our class and was great. He is from Colorado, but makes trip to the east to teach. He makes it as far east as Minneapolis for sure.

 

[moyiesledhead]

It never fails to amaze me when I meet people in the backcountry that have all the gear, and no freakin' idea how to use it.....never mind how to make intelligent decisions in avalanch terrain! Let's not talk about the ones that don't even own a shovel! I pray these people are in the minority.

TAKE THE TRAINING!

To the first group I mentioned above, THANKYOU! Your bodies will be much easier to recover.

 

[Cam]

I have ridden in the mountains for 12 years and took my first avy course from Lori this year. Best money I spent sledding so far. I learnt an amazing amount, and like one of my riding buddies says "I didn't take the course for me I took it for YOU" so if you don't want to take the course, ask your buddy if he thinks his life is worth it.

For anyone around Alberta - Give Lori a call, she puts on an excelent course!!
www.zacstracs.com
snowmobile@avalanche.ca or call Lori at 403-850-3042

 

[tomx]

Last week I took my first official Avy class and got my AIARE Level 1 Cert. So stoked. It was such an intense learning experience. I had no idea how much I didn't know. After 10 years of riding in uncontrolled areas it was time to wise up, esp since I recently started a family.

I highly recommened to anyone who spends any time in the backcountry to get out there and get educated and make the smart decisions that will keep you riding another day. Get your crew to come along. The classes are actually pretty fun, at least mine was. Mock drills can really give a feel for the intensity of the situation too.

 

[zacs]

Some of the previous posts mention that they have people in their local communities that would be interested in training if they could organize an instructor.
Contact me if you are interested in setting something up. We might be able to customize something for your group.
lori@zacstracs.com
http://www.zacstracs.com

 

[Flange]

So a few posts back I chimed in about how informative the classes are and how much fun we had with the mock rescues.......Most people read about the Windy Pass avy last weekend. The same riding partners that took the avy class with me were were involved with that rescue. Now I can say with experience that the classes are a MUST! We probably could have got the job done anyway but the training may have made a difference. This is a situation when bumbbling around can cost a life. Every minute counts. The things learned like making sure all beacons are in search mode, how to assemble your probes and shovels, and most likely places to start search can make a big difference. We were organized and had the victim out within 10 min. of our arrival. This guy did not have much time left. Not posting to flaunt myself or partners as heros, just passing along a lesson we learned. At the end of the day, driving home we were all spent but feeling proud. I don't even want to know how it would feel had the outcome been different.

Great post! You have every right to feel good about your rescue. Nice job!