IWLS teaches a full spectrum of avalanche safety and rescue courses, from 1-day Avalanche Awareness seminars to 7-day Level 3 programs for avalanche professionals. Whether you're looking to advance your snow safety career, or stay safe making backcountry turns with your friends, we have the avalanche course for you!
Our courses are based in Haines and Skagway, Alaska. If you are interested in a custom course for your group elsewhere, please visit our Custom Programs page or contact us.
With over 25 years of experience leading expeditions and training professionals, we pride ourselves in our avalanche awareness and safety precautions in the mountains. Our avalanche courses give participants a solid foundation of skills through hands on learning in the field combined with current avalanche science research presented in a classroom setting.
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Serac ice avalanche off of Mt. Fairweather
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Prepping a snow pit for stability tests
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Avalanche rescue scenarios
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Students learn to do pit profiles and hasty pits
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Discussing pit results in Alaska
Avalanche Rescue
This 3-day course gives students a foundation of avalanche safety and safe winter travel awareness. After covering avalanche curriculum in a classroom setting, we’ll spend the rest of our time in the field learning to assess the snowpack, evaluate terrain and perform effective avalanche rescues. This course can also be included in one of our multi-day Backcountry Skiing, Ski Mountaineering, or Mountaineering courses.
What can you expect to learn?
The IWLS Level 2 Avalanche course is a 4-day intensive safety and rescue course. A minimum of 75% of our time will be spent in the field, using our comprehensive course curriculum as a guide. This course can also be included in one of our multi-day Backcountry Skiing, Ski Mountaineering, or Mountaineering courses. All students must have completed a 3-day Level 1 course prior to taking this Level 2 course.
What can you expect to learn?
This is a 7-day course designed for professionals working in avalanche terrain. All students must have completed a 4-day Level 2 course at least a year prior to this Level 3 course. All students must have ample experience traveling in avalanche terrain and assessing avalanche conditions prior to taking this Level 3 course.
What can you expect to learn?
Contact Us:
Please take a moment to fill out the below form. We appreciate your interest; any specifics (group size, course interest, timeframe, etc.) will help us best respond to your inquiry regarding our avalanche courses.
Feel free to call us at 1-800-766-3396 or email us at info@iwls.com to learn more.
Fill out an online form to request more information: