I've gotta vote Brill.
I've taken Mt Baker ski patrol afternoon clinic-very basic overview, think ABC's but not sufficient for any extended involvement in the backcountry-pro? Its free (or at least was @ the time).
Gary Brill through REI-Stellar. Great teacher, phoenomenal expertise, good focus on common sense and staying out of trouble, and how many avy instructors can cite a helicopter crash as a potential cause of a slab avy?
Mountaineers-I'm currently in their Ski Mountianeering class-It falls somewhere between the other 2. Volunteer taught, and obviously (based on 1st lecture) someone with agreat deal of knowledge, but theres some room for improvement. And I say that with a great deal of respect for both the mountaineers and our instructor. I hope to contribute more as a volunteer in the future.
Just my 2 $'s.
I REALLY recommend G Brill though, although I'm not sure if he's teaching this year or if someone else is taking that on in his stead.
