Standards

The avalanche course curriculum and instructor training program used in Alaska were developed and standardized by the state-funded Alaska Avalanche School in the mid 1970s as a collaborative effort between Alaskan teachers and guest instructors from Canada, the other states, and Europe. Schools like ours and the current nonprofit Alaska Avalanche School are the direct descendants of that original high-quality program.

Given our mountains, our weather, and the population we serve, the courses had to be good. Industry standards and the latest snow science remain the foundation of the program, and we continue to update the courses to the most current teaching strategies and technologies and the insights from ongoing snow research. We place a strong emphasis on learning by doing. Our courses are fun, exciting, and rigorous.

Southeast Alaska Avalanche Center (SAAC) Level 1 and Level 2 courses meet and exceed the requirements of the American Avalanche Association (AAA) curriculum guidelines as outlined in their detailed table format PDF and in the course progression diagram PDF. SAAC Level 1 courses cover most of the material outlined in the AAA Level 2 guidelines in the PDF table. SAAC Level 2 courses go into much greater depth than the AAA guidelines require. In accordance with AAA guidelines, we limit field groups to a maximum of seven students per instructor, and SAAC Level 1 courses include a minimum of three full field days.

SAAC instructors teach field methods according to the AAA "SWAG" observation guidelines. They are the most current and complete snowpack, weather, and avalanche observations guidelines available, and they are the legal standard for avalanche-related work in the United States. The guidelines were carefully written to be as compatible with what international standards there are in the field while maintaining consistency with the needs and practices in this country.

Instructors

Head instructor Bill Glude is one of only three American Avalanche Association (AAA) recognized instructors in Alaska. This master level of recognition requires a minimum of ten years of teaching experience, a strong science background, the ability to teach all topics in advanced courses, and the skills that are necessary to design good courses and train and develop a staff of instructors.

We believe that every avalanche school should be required to have an AAA recognized instructor in charge of course development and instructor training. The AAA as the peer association of avalanche professionals in the US is the only organization in a position to truly, fairly, and authoritatively evaluate and recognize instructor quality.

Our instructors are all passionate participants in active winter mountain sports, whether they are skiers, snowboarders, climbers, or snowmachiners. We seek instructors with enthusiasm and a broad background of activities. Our senior instructors keep training new people so we span a range of ages and principal interests. We speak from ongoing, current experience, and our orientation is to get you out enjoying your sport at as high a level as you seek while learning how to cut your risk. We are emphatically NOT about discouraging you away from the activities you love to do.

Our instructors are required to pursue continuing professional education so their skills and enthusiasm continue to grow. We attend and present our research at the biennial International Snow Science Workshops, and we attend all the AAA and other professional development seminars, meetings, and conferences we can. We target our travel to spend field time with other avalanche professionals and programs, and we regularly exchange instructors with other quality programs like the Alaska Avalanche School, trading tricks and innovations.

Our instructors are required to have a minimum of 80-hour Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or higher emergency medical training.

Whether you are comparing schools or considering grant applicants, these are the standards you should be measuring against.