moderate
8–10 hours
Participants should be in moderate physical condition to comfortably handle physical activities in snowy terrain throughout the day.
Prepare yourself for winter backcountry adventures with the Rec Level 1 Avalanche Course in Conway, NH. Learn vital safety skills from expert instructors while exploring the breathtaking White Mountains.
3 Days •
3 Days
Students can expect to develop a good grounding in how to prepare for and carry out a backcountry trip, to understand basic decision making while in the field, and to learn rescue techniques required to find and dig up a buried person (if an avalanche occurs and someone in the party is caught). Students are also counseled to continue their avalanche education, as no one course can fully guarantee safety during the course or following course completion. Day one is an overview session both indoors and outside. The second day focuses on rescue skills in a controlled outdoor setting. Day three is conducted on the mountain with snow assessments and field analyses.
Ensure you have a beacon, probe, and shovel with you whenever in avalanche terrain.
Stay updated with local avalanche bulletins before heading out for the latest risk assessments.
Familiarize yourself with using an avalanche transceiver to find buried victims quickly.
Wear moisture-wicking layers to stay warm and dry during outdoor field sessions.
The White Mountains have a long history of winter exploration and mountaineering education, dating back to early 20th century ski pioneers.
Local efforts focus on sustainable winter recreation to protect fragile alpine ecosystems and minimize trail erosion.
Critical for practicing search and rescue techniques during the field portion.
winter specific
Used to pinpoint the location of buried avalanche victims.
winter specific
Necessary for debris excavation during rescue drills.
winter specific
Keeps participants warm, dry, and comfortable in cold snowy conditions.
winter specific