Suggestions for an Avalanche Safety Class

I have recently discovered the beauty of backcountry and would like to do a lot more backcountry riding and less resort riding. I have ventured out to Muir once and don't plan on doing any more backcountry trips until I take an avalanche class, so I need to find a class and SOON!!! Any suggestions??? I've looked around a bit, but most classes that I found were held in the Fall ???

Anna,<br><br>Welcome. Joining this board is a good source of BC info.<br><br>There are several avy classes coming up - check <br> www.mountaineers.org/skiing/avalanche-seminars.htm for some courses.
On the Eastside check www.marmotmountain.com/
go to 'Events' to find dates for the classes.
Feathered Friends and REI may have some information on other courses.
Just a head's up on some items that you will need - shovel, probe and beacon (which can be rented from Feathered Friends or Marmot Mountain Works).

Good luck and stay on top,

John

Those Snowboarder John mentioned are good.<br>Paul Baugher (the head of Crystal Mountain's ski patrol) runs courses every year as well. His Level 1 course is in mid January. More can be found at his web site at:<br> www.avalanche.org/~nai/

hey, i think the courses mentioned here are good, but if you want alot more info for your money canadia is the way to go. i took a level 1 course here in WA and then did some research and found that canadian standards are the highest in the world so i took a RAC(recreational avalanche course) from the CAA out of vancouver BC just to Qualify for their level 1.I got twice the info as a US level 1 , it was a blast all in the field 4 DAYS OF TOURING AND CAMPING and of course learned a ton .

Don't forget there are Tacoma,Everett and Oly branches of Mountaineers as well. You didn't mention which end of sound you were in.

<br>Also check out the WAC's backcountry travel class. Very good class and has pretty much equivelant coverage as the Mountaineers class plus some.