Ski Mountaineering and Avalanche Leadership – Part III

• AIARE Rec 2
• Weather forecasting
• Navigation skills
  • Tour planning 
  • Route finding and track setting
  • Map and compass
  • White-out navigation
• Emergency shelter construction
• Steep skiing techniques
  • Pivot turns
  • Jump turns
  • Self-arrest
  • Side-slip & side-step techniques
• Rope work for steep skiing
  • Snow anchor construction w/ skis/split
  • Snow belays (body belay, dynamic off anchors)
  • Lowers
  • Rappelling with skis/board – on back/on feet
• Crevasse rescue for skiers
  • Building anchors with skis
  • Hauling systems
  • Rope ascension while managing skis

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Apply advanced avalanche hazard assessment and decision-making strategies in complex terrain
• Lead small groups through winter terrain using sound judgment and conservative terrain management
• Plan and execute multi-day ski mountaineering objectives in remote alpine environments
• Travel efficiently in steep and glaciated terrain using appropriate rope systems and techniques
• Integrate weather, snowpack, terrain, and human factors into cohesive, real-world decisions
• Demonstrate the experience and skills necessary to continue toward independent or professional-level winter objectives

These programs were developed by American Alpine Institute instructors to bridge the gap from introductory backcountry travel to advanced avalanche leadership training and ski mountaineering. They reflect decades of experience teaching winter mountaineering skills and a deliberate approach to student progression.

This progression is intentionally designed to allow students to complete Parts I and II in succession, then spend time gaining independent experience before returning for advanced avalanche leadership training in Part III.

Ski Mountaineering and Avalanche Leadership – Part I
Backcountry Skiing and Avalanche Fundamentals

This introductory course builds a strong foundation for winter backcountry travel. Students develop efficient touring skills, avalanche awareness, decision-making tools, and companion rescue techniques needed to begin traveling confidently in avalanche terrain.

Technical Ski Alpinism

This intermediate stage expands into winter mountaineering skills, including technical movement, rope systems, and an introduction to winter camping and multi-day travel. The focus is on efficiency, judgment, and operating in more complex alpine terrain. By blending the worlds of backcountry skiing and alpinism, year-round opportunities to explore the mountains start to become more of a reality.

Ski Mountaineering and Advanced Avalanche Decision-Making

The final course emphasizes advanced avalanche leadership, complex terrain assessment, and expedition-style decision-making. Students refine their technical and leadership skills while preparing for independent travel and professional-level objectives in serious winter environments.

Together, these courses are designed to help you move from foundational skills to confident, independent winter travel and leadership.

Lodging

In order to maximize efficiency and provide flexibility to handle challenging weather, lodging will be provided on nights 1 through 11 of this program (participants will need to have their own lodging arrangements for the night before the start of the course and for the final night once we return to our offices). This program will have a mix of both front-country day trips in which students will return to a lodge near the base of Mt. Baker to stay in for the night, as well as also having overnight backcountry winter camping experiences throughout its duration. The benefit of having the lodging rolled into the program is that it allows the instructors to adjust the itinerary to accommodate challenging weather and avalanche conditions without individual students having to worry about juggling hotel reservations.

Prerequisites

• Completion of Parts 1 and 2 or equivalent experience
  • A3 approved Rec 1 avalanche course
  • A3 approved avalanche rescue course
• Ability to ski/ride ungroomed black diamond terrain in-bounds
• Experience skiing/riding in variable terrain and snow conditions
• At least a full season of backcountry touring (20+ days) since the completion of Rec 1 and Rescue Courses with documented tour plans and recorded observations in a field notebook
• Previous multi-day backpacking experience
• Ability to cook for yourself on a backpacking stove
• Previous experience camping on snow (recommended, not required)
• Very good physical fitness (ability to skin at least 4,000 vertical feet in a day, carry/ ski with a 45lb pack)

Inclusions and Exclusions

Inclusions: Included in the course cost are group technical climbing equipment like ropes and pickets, transportation to the climbing areas from AAI headquarters, all permits and camping fees, front-country lodging during the course and the guide fee.

Exclusions: Not included in the course cost are all personal clothing and climbing gear, rentals, gratuities to the guide, meals, lodging for directly before or after the program, or travel insurance.