Recreational Level 1 Hut Trip

Meet at Sun Valley Guides Headquarters

401 Lewis Street, Ketchum, ID 83340

Time

8:00am

Session

Multi-Day

Description

This intensive course is a comprehensive introduction to avalanche phenomena as it relates to backcountry skiers and snowboarders. The course format will emphasize practical avalanche awareness and safety measures through hands-on learning. Students will be required to complete an online learning module (estimated 6-8hrs) in advance of the hut trip.. It will consist of videos, presentations and quizzes to mark learning. This information will be sent ahead of time and must be completed before the start of the course. The course format will comprise a mix of pre-trip planning and field practice while touring and evaluating avalanche terrain. Students will receive a certification for completion of a Level 1 Avalanche Training Course as outlined by the American Avalanche Association.

DATES

We are not hosting a public course for winter 2024-25 but we can schedule a private course. Please email avy@svguides.com to inquire about private avalanche courses or for any avalanche/education-related questions. Min 4 people. Max 12. Pricing is the same as public courses.

PRICING

$2100/PERSON

INCLUDES Instructor(s), porter, hut meister/chef, gourmet food, snowmobile cargo/tow & hut rental

*Guest to Guide ratio is 5:1 | Min. 4 | Max. 10

**Sales Tax and Forest Service fees not included

Sample Itinerary

  • Meet at the SVG headquarters to review gear for the trip. Depart to Easley Hot Springs parking lot and skin into Tornak Yurt (1400’, 3.5 mile approach). Once we get to the hut, we will unpack and go into avalanche rescue scenarios nearby the hut.

  • Go over pre-trip planning with the avalanche forecast from Sawtooth Avalanche Center. Guides will lead a tour, demonstrating how to manage moving through avalanche terrain. There will be some time spent in a snowpit looking through weak and strong snow and some stability tests to confirm your decision-making.

  • Students plan their own tour using paper maps and/or their cell phones (download maps ahead of time). Students will lead the group, taking turns as the leader, through a day of touring. We will pack up and ski out of the hut all the way back down to the trailhead.

Prerequisites

Backcountry touring experience, intermediate ability, and an understanding of basic Avalanche Awareness preferred.

Topics Covered

  • Avalanche types, speeds, and motion

  • Identifying avalanche terrain

  • Avalanche problems

  • Statistics

  • Terrain features, shape, and size

  • Snowpack development and change

  • Weather’s impact on the snowpack

  • Safe travel protocols

  • Human factors

  • Tour planning

  • Decision-making tools

  • Interpreting the avalanche advisory

  • Understanding basic stability tests

  • Companion rescue

  • Trailhead function check

  • Route selection

Recommended Reading

Avalanche Essentials by Bruce Tremper

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Sun Valley Guides does not provide personal safety gear for avalanche course participants, so please come prepared with the necessary and reliable equipment. This includes a 3-antenna avalanche transceiver, a metal avalanche shovel, and an avalanche probe with a click-lock mechanism.

    For more details, please see our equipment list.

  • All of our guides are licensed by the IOGLB and are highly-trained avalanche professionals and/or AMGA trained or certified. Our guides have an intimate knowledge of the vast mountains surrounding Sun Valley as well as the current snow and avalanche conditions.

    IOGLB stands for Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board. Guides that have been certified by IOGLB are licensed and held to standards set in place by  the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association, recognized as one of the most comprehensive licensing programs in the nation. For more information, please visit IOGLB’s website.

    AMGA stands for American Mountain Guides Association, an internationally recognized organization that offers rigorous training courses for guides in the alpine, rock, and ski mountaineering industry. Guides endorsed by AMGA are verified to operate at a high level of professionalism and with a deep knowledge of their sport. Learn more about AMGA here.

  • Yes. Sun Valley Guides is committed to providing safe and enjoyable adventures in the backcountry. All guests must read and sign a Release of Liability and Waiver of Claims Agreement prior to embarking on any guided trip. Be sure to read and sign the waiver prior to joining us in the mountains.  You can find your waiver in your reservation confirmation.  If you did not make the reservation, please ask whoever did to invite you to sign through their reservation confirmation email they received or email us at info@svguides.com 

  • A 50% non-refundable deposit is made to secure a spot on an avalanche course. Cancellations made with more than 2 weeks notice will receive a refund for the cost of the course, less the deposit fee. Cancellations made within 2 weeks of class start date are 100% non-refundable, but if a replacement for your spot can be found, we will transfer your deposit as credit for another course later in the same winter season with a $50 booking fee.

    Please keep in mind that these policies vary by service. See our full cancellation policy for details.