Swiss Rock Guides

Avalanche Training Center

By WHITE PINE TOURING and Swiss Guides

We offer avalanche courses in the Park City area for professional and recreational backcountry users of all levels.

There are courses for every level of backcountry user, from skier to snowboarder, telemark to snowshoe or snowmobile traveler.

We also offer special avalanche training for aspiring American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) ski and ski mountaineering guides. Our courses are produced by the American Avalanche Institute for Research and Education (AIARE). These avalanche courses are also internationally recognized for ski patrollers, guides and other professionals. The recording methods and standards learned are consistent throughout our network, which exists throughout the world.

Our teaching style is the on the cutting edge: full PowerPoint presentations, small classes and information on the latest research and developing standards throughout the USA. We strictly follow international standards in recording weather, snowpack and avalanche activity.

Our instructors are specially trained and qualified by AIARE and certified by the either the AMGA or IFMGA (International Mountain Guide Association) in ski guiding or all aspects of mountain guiding to emphasize decision-making in avalanche terrain as well as travel techniques.

Our instructors have experience in every snow condition and climate and have guided and conducted avalanche classes throughout the world. They are simply among the best in the field!

For our level III avalanche courses, we have only fully IFMGA/internationally certified guides instructing. We keep our high standards by requiring yearly refresher courses and international workshops.

Check out our nationwide program on the AIARE website: www.avtraining.org

Avalanche Awareness Class

by Freddy Grossniklaus and Jonathon Spitzer

This 2-3 hour evening-session is for all ages who want to know a little about avalanches. It is a interduction to the backcountry world and understanding the phenomena of avalanches. We introduce you to the avalanche forecast bulletin and teach you how to read and understand it. You will learn the basic framework of decision making to stay out of trouble. This a great course for your teenagers to get their attention and show them how to stay out of trouble. A must for newcomers to Park City's winter season.

At the Jim Santy Auditorium (1255 Park Ave, Park City, UT 84060)

We will be asking for a suggested $10.00 donation at the door to benefit The Friends of The Utah Avalanche Center. The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, a non-profit 501(c) (3) corporation organized to support and contribute to the avalanche education and forecasting activities provided by the Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center was formed in 1991 to bridge the gap between the available funding and the actual expenses of operating the UAC and to protect the UAC from year to year funding variations.  Your $10.00 donation will get you 2 chances to win great prizes in 2 chance drawings (Utah for raffle) at each lecture.  These lectures are ideal for the whole family, ski team, or anyone interested in being safer in the backcountry!!!  Anyone is welcome, and encouraged to attend!!!!

November 24th 2009 from 6~9pm

and

December 22nd 2009 from 6~9pm

 

Level I

A must for everyone who travels in the backcountry in the Wasatch. This two and ½ day course emphasizes awareness and avoidance of avalanche terrain. We teach and provide a checklist for basic decision-making strategies. The course includes travel techniques, basic rescue procedures and information that should be known by anyone traveling with or without a guide in the backcountry. This course includes both classroom and field work and is based in the Park City area.

 

 

Course 1

Course 2

Course 3

Course 4

Thursday Dec 17th 2009 5~9pm

Friday Jan 1st 2010 9~5pm (Start Time Negotiable)

Thursday Feb 11th 2010 5~9pm

Friday Mar 5th 2010 8~5pm

Friday Dec 18th 5~9pm

Saturday Jan 2nd 8~5pm

Friday Feb 12th 5~9pm

Saturday Mar 6th 8~5pm

Saturday Dec 19th 8~5pm

Sunday Jan 3rd 8~5pm

Saturday Feb 13th 8~5pm

Sunday Mar 7th 8~5pm

Sunday Dec 20th 8~5pm

 

Sunday Feb 14th 8~5pm

 

Cost: $235.00

Cost: $235.00

Cost: $235.00

Cost: $235.00

Contact:                                                                

Scott House, Programs Director, White Pine Touring

O: 435-649-8710

C: 435-655-5009

F: 435-649-8718

E-Mail 1: Shouse@whitepinetouring.com

E-Mail 2: scott.housewpt@gmail.com

                                  

Level II

This 4-day course emphasizes field observations and documentation. It provides technical and scientific information that improves participants’ understanding of how and why avalanches occur, covers the factors that indicate and affect snow stability, and introduces snow stability analysis and the forecasting process. Formal snow pit observations and recording guidelines are emphasized.

Much of this course will take place in the classroom to cover the standards but also to help you make decisions for safe travel in avalanche terrain. This course is for serious backcountry enthusiasts, ski and mountain guides and ski patrollers.

www.avtraining.org

Level III

This 5-day course has been designed primarily for ski and mountain guides and meets the AMGA prerequisite for candidates seeking to enter ski mountaineering and alpine certification exams. Of course all enthusiastic backcountry travelers can join the course to further educate themselves. This course continues from Level II in recording stability analyses as well as forecasting in the international recording standard, as well as operational planning and decision making in complex terrain and group management situations.

www.avtraining.org

All instructors are IFMGA certified and trained AIARE Level III.

 

 


 

We also offer special private courses upon request in all levels, as well as group and individual 2/hr. awareness classes for schools and seminars.

Customized courses for private individuals and groups can be arranged as well.

For more information call:

White Pine Touring (435) 649.8710

 

White Pine Touring
1790 Bonanza Drive
Park City, UT 84060

www.whitepinetouring.com

Scott House: shouse@whitepinetouring.com

 

See for national program: www.avtraining.org

We offer special private courses by request in all levels, as well as group and individual 2/hr. awareness classes for schools and seminars.

Customized courses for private individuals and groups can be arranged as well.

For more information call White Pine Touring (435) 649.8710

Scott House: shouse@whitepinetouring.com

www.whitepinetouring.com