Choosing the Right Avalanche Course

Snowpits are only a small part of a Level 1 Avalanche class—but always a crowd favorite!

Most people who travel in the backcountry know that it’s important to get quality avalanche education and experience. But there are a lot of courses available, in many different formats and price points, and it can be difficult to know where to start. Here’s a great baseline starting point—and if you have questions, please reach out at info@bigskybackcountry.com! We have been leaders in avalanche education for nearly 15 years, and want to help you enjoy the backcountry in any way we can!

1. Choose a course provider that’s accredited by the American Avalanche Association (A3). A3 is the nonprofit oversight organization that creates avalanche course curriculum guidelines, and vets professional avalanche education providers in the U.S. All BSBG courses and instructors are accredited by A3, and BSBG owner Drew Pogge served on the board of A3 for over seven years, from 2018-2026.

2. Choose a provider that you can grow with over time. Mentorship is an important part of developing avalanche skills, and continuity is critical—can you take additional courses with your provider? Is your provider accessible and responsive to questions before and after your course? Will you have the opportunity to work with the same instructors, and build solid relationships as you build your skills? At BSBG, we offer every Recreational Avalanche course available: Level 1 Avalanche, Avalanche Rescue, and Level 2 Avalanche (plus additional opportunities like ski/snowboard-mountaineering camps, winter camping, etc.). We’ve helped thousands of skiers and riders learn about avalanche safety over the years, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see our students and friends learn, grow, and often become extremely accomplished mountain travelers—heck, some of our current guides started out as BSBG students many years ago!

3. Choose value over cost. The cheapest courses are rarely a good value—they almost always slash field time and face time with qualified instructors, leaving students to “figure it out” in poor approximations for backcountry terrain. That’s why all BSBG Level 1 Avalanche courses are immersive, hut-based backcountry experiences, with small groups, small instructor ratios, and TONS of hands-on learning, touring, and skiing/riding. Our students get around twice as much time in the field, and twice as much face time with qualified instructors as compared to traditional courses. BSBG students are getting a tremendous value compared to virtually any other course—plus all the fun of an all-inclusive hut trip! Here are some things to consider:

   • Course Format—Avoid hybrid/online courses (which cheat students of conversational learning opportunities and having questions answered in proper context), and select courses that maximize field time in true backcountry terrain. Immersive, hut-based courses are the gold-standard, by far—it’s not even close. A 3-day Level 1 course is standard; a 4-day course is WAY better. More experience, more learning, more powder—what’s not to love?

   • Available Terrain—Ask where you’ll be skiing/riding in the field. Due to permitting and access issues, many courses take place at inbounds ski areas, from low-elevation trailheads, or in places where it’s impossible to even see avalanche terrain. At BSBG, we hold all of our courses at Bell Lake Yurt, deep in the backcountry, surrounded by amazing terrain, wild snow, and incomparable learning opportunities. We’re firm believers that you can’t learn about backcountry avalanche terrain without experiencing backcountry avalanche terrain!

   • Instructor Experience and Effectiveness—Great instruction is truly hard to find. It’s rare for one person to possess appropriate professional avalanche experience, high-level education, and the interpersonal chops for effective, effortless instruction in a dynamic environment. That’s why at BSBG, we’ve worked for nearly 15 years to build a culture of curiosity, professional mentorship, and pride in instruction—and combined it with Montana’s most robust avalanche education calendar (we hold around 20 courses per year), and a world-class learning environment. Our instructors are some of the most skilled in the industry, and we take great pride in being the highest-rated provider of avalanche instruction in Montana. Check out our reviews HERE!

   • Group size and Student Ratio—Other courses have up to 24 students and four instructors. That’s a communication and logistical nightmare, and virtually guarantees a low-value learning experience. At BSBG, our courses are no larger than eight students with 2 instructors (our maximum 4:1 instructor ratio is the lowest in the industry). For our students, this ensures clear, easy communication, efficient backcountry travel, and plenty of personalized time and attention to meet our students where they are—plus plenty of powder to go around:)

   • Hut-based Courses are the Gold Standard—Period. There’s no replacement or approximation for exposure to true backcountry terrain and experiences. At BSBG, we combine the incredible immersive learning environment of the Tobacco Root Mountains and Bell Lake Yurt, dramatically more effective time with the finest instructors, and all the fun and excitement of a fully guided and catered hut trip. Spend your time learning, skiing/riding, and taking it all in, rather than worrying about logistics.

4. Taking a Level 1 Avalanche course is an awesome first step, not a license to ski avalanche terrain. Taking an avalanche class is a necessary step, but it’s not just a box to be checked—it’s only as valuable as you and your course provider make it. The information you take away from the course, and the tools you’re shown to apply it safely are what matters. Choose a provider who’s invested in education, and invested in you.

5. Take an Avalanche Rescue Course—This one-day course is the companion course to any Level 1, and they are intended to be taken in tandem. In a Rescue course, you’ll practice companion and group rescue of single and multiple-burial avalanche victims, and learn about post-accident care and professional rescue steps. It’s an excellent idea to take a rescue course every-other season, even if you are experienced—and make your partners take one, too. It’s YOU they’ll be rescuing if things go sideways.

6. Take a Level 2 Course…Eventually—After a year or two of touring and practicing lessons learned in your Level 1 course, consider taking a Recreational Level 2 Course. This awesome curriculum builds on the Level 1, with more emphasis on developing forecasts and more advanced snowpack assessment, advanced tour planning, group management, and additional terrain considerations. We hold hut-based Level 2 courses at Bell Lake Yurt! If you’re unsure whether you’d benefit from taking a Level 2, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to chat!

7. Exploring the backcountry is the absolute best!—While avalanches can be scary, they are also largely manageable—BSBG is here to help you learn the skills and strategies to enjoy a lifetime of powder, summits, and backcountry fun.

“BSBG doesn’t just hold courses; we value building a smart, competent, connected backcountry community—and we want you to be a part of it all. ”

— BSBG Owner, Drew Pogge

This is the best front door view around—even better with a hot cup of coffee in hand.

This is avalanche terrain—how would you assess whether it’s safe to shred?

Backcountry powder is the best! Let BSBG help you develop the skills and strategies for a lifetime of turns like these.