Avalanche Pro 2 Certification Course

Overview

Please note, this course is sponsored by American Alpine Institute and is directly run by American Avalanche Institute instructors. It follows the curriculum guidelines set out by the American Avalache Association (A3).

This course is the highest level of formal avalanche training in the U.S.. This course is designed for avalanche workers moving into leadership roles within their operations or for experienced workers who desire to continue to develop their risk management leadership skills. The course progresses beyond hazard analysis and moves into avalanche forecasting for different avalanche problems, snow climates and operations. The course will advance the skills for both mitigation-based and avoidance-based avalanche professionals. The tools taught and practiced will apply equally well for ski patrollers, guides, outdoor educators, public avalanche forecasters, and highway program personnel. The course will also address the distinctions between “mitigators” and guides and add tools for both sets to use. Approximately half of the course is classroom based and half is field based. We will travel in the backcountry, in and around avalanche terrain.

The course provides course participants with an industry based framework to make decisions in avalanche terrain and to manage avalanche hazards common to avalanche control operations and winter guiding scenarios. Participants are required to form opinions, to take on leadership roles, and to utilized team members skills to assist in the process of forecasting avalanche hazard and snow stability and making appropriate terrain choices. Course goals also include evaluating each participant to the AIARE Pro 2 standard.

The Pro 2 course builds on the concepts introduced in the prerequisite Pro 1 certification course, including standardizing snow and weather observations and techniques to the Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Guidelines of the American Avalanche Association (A3).  The Pro 2 takes the “trained observer and technician” and begins the process of making the information relevant to the complexities, variability, and influences of terrain.

Pro 2 Student Learning Outcomes

• Improved understanding of snowpack formation & metamorphism
• An overview of current understanding of avalanche release (related back to what practitioners can readily observe in the field)
• Understanding, and accounting for, spatial variability
• Strengths and limitations of stability tests
• Professional standard of recording data and record keeping.
• Creating personal/professional forecasts and nowcasts based on available information
• Making operational decisions based upon avalanche hazard analysis
• Recognizing trends and patterns in stability
• Efficient & accurate route-finding and group management in complex terrain
• Human factors that influence decision-making as professionals and recreationists
• Technical report writing

Lectures and case studies highlight human factors as they influence the decision making process. New research is included where relevant.

The Pro 2 instructors are required to be current with the latest research and educational tools in use by snow avalanche practitioners and instructors. Each course is presented by a variety of experienced instructors including mountain and ski guides, and avalanche professionals whose background includes ski area or highways control procedures.

Avalanche Pro 2 Certification Course

Curriculum

The Pro 2 is a course and exam that requires students to travel safely and efficiently in avalanche terrain. Field days will include travel on rugged terrain up to and exceeding 30 degrees, trail breaking, and 8 hours of travel carrying a day pack with rescue equipment and clothing.

Prerequisites

Students register for the Pro 2 by submitting an online application which documents they have met the prerequisites listed below:

• Students must have a Pro 1 certificate or Professional Level 1 Bridge Course (Bridge courses only available 17/18 and 18/19 seasons)
• Students must have an A3-recognized Avalanche Rescue Course
• Students must provide proof of payment of the A3 Pro Course Student Fee
• Students must have a minimum of one season between taking the Pro 1 and the Pro 2 in order to provide enough time between to apply the tools and strategies learned on the Pro 1
• Students must have a minimum of 40 days of operational experience over two winter seasons, and 
• Students must have a letter of reference from a supervisor verifying:
  • 40 days minimum work experience, over two operating seasons. This can be in the same calendar year if the worker has worked in both the northern and southern hemispheres. This includes participation as a team member, attending daily ops meetings, and participation in operational activities that require risk management
  • Avalanche rescue (companion) practices with team leader responsibility.  The application has participated in multi-team organized avalanche rescue exercises
  • The applicant is able to complete the tasks required of a route leader or ski guide
• Student must submit examples of the following professional documentation:
• Two full snow pit profiles
• Two operational meeting forms
• Two pages from two days of field observations

Recommended Reading

• Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain, Bruce Tremper
• Snow, Weather and Avalanches: Observational Guidelines for Avalanche Programs in the United States (SWAG)
• The Avalanche Review (AAA)

Registration for Pro programs will close when either the class roster is full, or two weeks prior to the program, whichever comes first.

Avalanche Pro 2 Certification Course

Course Structure

Below is a sample of a possible itinerary for the course. Please note that this is subject to change based on weather, snow pack, avalanche conditions, and instructors. 

Assessment Criteria

Pro 2 students are eligible for certification after:

• Attending the classroom sessions, completing the homework assignments to a professional level and participating in the group learning sessions.
• Attending the field sessions and participating in the group discussions and exercises.

Attaining the minimum passing grade of 70% in the marking categories:

1. Avalanche hazard management skills 45%
   – Recognition 15%
   – Analysis 15%
   – Response 15%
2. Technical Skills and Knowledge 55%
   – Field weather observations and recording 5 %
   – Snowpack observations and tests 20 %
   – Operational forecast and analysis forms 10 %
   – Professional notebook 5 %
   – Final Written Exam 15%

Avalanche Pro 2 Certification Course

Dates and Details

Jan 25 (evening online session), Jan 26 - Jan 31 (field days), 2025

Starts with an online meeting on the first evening, then the remaining field days will be near the Mt. Baker backcountry.

Location:

Mt. Baker Backcountry

Cost:

$2649

While AAI is sponsoring this program, enrollment is being handled by the American Avalanche Institute. To enroll, please click the link below to the Avalanche Institute's website and find the Bellingham dates in their list of available sessions (courses are indexed by location and first field day). 
https://www.americanavalancheinstitute.com/course/pro-2-avalanche-training/

Sessions will include both classroom and field time. Please come with your complete backcountry touring kit and observation tools.

Click here for a list of American Avalanche Institute's recommended equipment for the course.

Course Venue

As mentioned above, the field days will be held near the Mt. Baker Ski Area. When the roads are dry and clear during the summer, it is only about an hour drive from Bellingham to Glacier and then about another 30 minutes after that to the backcountry zone near the Mt. Baker Ski Area. However, during the winter, the road conditions can be highly variable and it could take much longer for the drive.

With that in mind, you should find lodging somewhere near Glacier for the duration of the course. There are numerous vacation rental cabins, VRBOs and AirBnBs in the Glacier area. It is totally reasonable for the students to band together to rent a cabin for the duration of this course. However, this is not included as part of the course tuition and will not be provided. It is extremely important that your lodging have good access to internet. You will be required to check avalanche and weather forecasts each day of the program, as well as completing route profiles and tour plans in the evenings.

Inclusions

Instructor fees, land use fees, course materials

Exclusions

Food, lodging, transportation, backcountry travel equipment, personal avalanche safety equipment

Avalanche Pro 2 Certification Course

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