Jared Steinman
Ready to take your skiing or snowboarding beyond the resort and into the untouched backcountry? The Teton Valley Backcountry Avalanche Training offers the chance to explore pristine winter terrain in the Tetons while earning your NOLS Level I Avalanche Training certification, recognized by the American Avalanche Association (A3). This isn’t just another weekend course. With NOLS, you’ll spend seven days immersing yourself in avalanche education, backcountry travel, and winter camping, learning through hands-on practice and expert instruction.
What sets this course apart is the unique opportunity to live and learn in a remote backcountry yurt, combining theory with real-world practice in a supportive, small-group setting. By the end of the week, you’ll have the knowledge and skills to manage risk in avalanche terrain and be ready to plan and execute your own backcountry trips with confidence.
Photo credit: Jared Steinman
This expedition is designed for those ready to go beyond the basics, spending more time in the field than traditional avalanche courses allow. With NOLS, you’ll move beyond classroom instruction and practice your skills in real backcountry environments, gaining the experience and feedback needed to make sound decisions in avalanche terrain.
The Tetons’ dependable snow, steep terrain, and breathtaking views provide the ideal setting to learn. Along the way, you’ll develop touring skills, avalanche awareness, and essential winter camping techniques. Sleeping in a cozy yurt with a wood-burning stove, you’ll have time each night to debrief, reflect, and prepare for the next day’s challenges. By the end of the course, you’ll not only leave with a respected avalanche certification but also the skills and resilience needed to explore the winter backcountry responsibly.
Your journey begins at NOLS Teton Valley, where you’ll check gear, meet your instructors, and dive into avalanche education. After reviewing the foundations of backcountry travel and snow science, you’ll spend two days on Teton Pass, known for its incredible touring terrain and easy access to powder. You’ll return to NOLS Teton Valley in the evenings to prepare for the next day’s adventures.
Next, you’ll head deep into the backcountry, staying three nights in a remote yurt. These cozy yurts—equipped with wood-burning stoves and propane cooktops—offer the perfect basecamp for learning snowpack assessment, terrain navigation, and avalanche rescue techniques. Each day, you’ll tour the mountains, dig snow pits, and practice your skiing or riding, honing your ability to read terrain and manage risks. If conditions allow, you may even summit a peak, putting all your skills to the test in an unforgettable experience.
This course offers a comprehensive introduction to avalanche education and winter backcountry travel. Key learning areas include:
• Avalanche Training: Assess snowpack stability, evaluate terrain risks, and develop effective rescue techniques.
• Backcountry Touring: Navigate mountain terrain efficiently, make sound decisions about route selection, prevent cold weather injuries, and maintain comfort in extreme conditions.
• Leadership and Risk Management: Practice communication, teamwork, and decision-making in dynamic environments.
By the end of the course, you’ll earn your NOLS Level I Avalanche Training certification, which integrates 24 hours of avalanche education and 8 hours of rescue training, providing the foundation for future backcountry exploration.
Photo credit: Jared Steinman
Weather and Conditions: The Tetons are known for unpredictable weather, where bluebird skies can quickly turn into whiteouts. Learning to adapt to extreme conditions will build your resilience and decision-making skills, equipping you to thrive in the backcountry.
Cold and Physical Endurance: Living and traveling in the winter environment is both demanding and rewarding. You’ll carry gear on skis, snowboards, or splitboards, pulling sleds loaded with group equipment. This course will push you physically, but the sense of accomplishment and confidence you’ll build will be worth every challenge.
Leadership and Teamwork: Backcountry travel is about more than technical skills—it’s about leading and working effectively with others. Throughout the course, you’ll practice leadership in real-world situations, learning to communicate, make group decisions, and manage risks under pressure. These skills will prepare you to be a capable and trusted backcountry partner long after the course ends.
This course is designed for adults aged 18 and older who are ready to take their skiing or snowboarding into the backcountry. Participants should be comfortable skiing or riding on blue and black resort runs. Powder skiing experience is helpful but not required—what matters most is a willingness to learn, grow, and challenge yourself in the winter wilderness.
The Teton Valley Backcountry Avalanche Training is more than just a course—it’s your gateway to mastering winter travel and backcountry exploration. With NOLS’ unique approach to experiential learning, you’ll leave this course with new skills, real-world experience, and a certification that sets you apart. Whether you’re dreaming of future backcountry adventures or planning to lead your own trips, this course will give you the tools and confidence to explore the mountains while managing risk.
Photo credit: Jared Steinman
