The mission of the National Ski Patrol (NSP) avalanche program is to deliver industry-leading avalanche safety and rescue education. The program is aligned with the American Avalanche Association (A3) standards, ensuring that it meets the highest industry benchmarks. The primary audience for this education includes ski patrollers, mountain search and rescue teams, and personnel involved in snow recreation areas. By adhering to these guidelines, the program aims to cater to the specific needs of these groups, providing them with the knowledge and skills required to operate safely in avalanche-prone environments.

Program Structure

The NSP avalanche program is structured around five core courses, each designed to address the varying needs of different stakeholders and geographical conditions. These courses are:

• Avalanche Awareness: A foundational course aimed at general public safety, providing basic knowledge about avalanche hazards.
• Companion Rescue: Focused on equipping participants with the critical skills needed for rescuing companions in avalanche situations.
• Level I Avalanche: Comprises multiple modules that together form a comprehensive introduction to avalanche safety, suitable for recreationists and professionals alike.
• Level II Avalanche: An advanced course tailored for organized rescue personnel, covering in-depth hazard evaluation, risk management, and leadership in rescue operations.
• Avalanche Senior Elective: A specialized course designed for senior patrollers, focusing on critical avoidance skills like terrain analysis and decision-making in avalanche conditions.

Each course is crafted to meet the specific demands of its audience, with content and delivery methods tailored to different levels of experience and regional avalanche conditions.

Key Responsibilities

• Course Development and Delivery: Developing and delivering avalanche training courses in strict accordance with A3 guidelines, creating curricula that reflect the latest best practices in avalanche safety and rescue.
• Training Provision: Providing avalanche training to both NSP members and non-members, ensuring appropriate education for patrollers, search and rescue personnel, and recreational users.
• Instructor Recruitment and Certification: Recruiting, developing, and certifying avalanche instructors to maintain high educational standards.
• Quality Assurance: Ensuring all courses are delivered consistently and updated regularly to reflect the latest in avalanche education.

Course Content and Structure

Avalanche Awareness

This course serves as an introduction to avalanche safety, aimed at winter recreationists who are beginning to explore areas where avalanche hazards exist. The course is typically 60-90 minutes long and is designed to raise awareness of the dangers associated with avalanches. Participants learn to identify typical avalanche terrain, recognize obvious signs of avalanche danger, and understand the basic principles of safe travel in avalanche-prone areas. The course encourages further education by promoting enrollment in a full Level 1 avalanche safety and rescue course.

Companion Rescue

The Companion Rescue course is critical for anyone traveling in avalanche terrain, as it focuses on the skills needed to rescue a buried companion quickly. The course emphasizes the importance of leadership and teamwork during a rescue, as survival often depends on the party’s ability to act methodically and coordinate their efforts within the first 15 minutes of burial. The course is not open to non-NSP members and does not cover other essential avalanche safety skills such as terrain analysis or route selection.

Level 1 Avalanche Course

This course is divided into multiple modules:

• Module 1: Avalanche Foundations: The classroom component introduces fundamental concepts and principles of avalanche hazard, safety, and rescue.
• Module 2: Avalanche Foundations Field Component: Complements Module 1 by providing practical training in avalanche terrain, teaching participants to recognize avalanche problems, evaluate weather and snowpack conditions, and perform small group rescues.
• Module 3: Organized Avalanche Rescue: Specifically designed for ski patrollers and SAR personnel, focusing on organized rescue operations, management structures, and decision-making strategies.
• Modules 4 & 5: Refresher Modules: Updating and refreshing Level 1 skills.

Level II Avalanche Course

An advanced course for rescue personnel, focusing on hazard evaluation, risk management, leadership, and extended rescue operations. Participants learn incident alerting, rescue planning, and documentation, essential for professional rescue operations.

Avalanche Senior Elective

Introduces critical avalanche safety skills, focusing on terrain analysis, route selection, and decision-making. This course is a senior elective and is not open to non-NSP members.

Course Administration and Quality Management

To ensure the highest standards of education, all NSP avalanche courses require observation and evaluation by an Avalanche Instructor Trainer (IT). This evaluation process includes both the overall course and individual lessons, ensuring that the Instructor of Record (IOR) and other instructors meet the program’s rigorous standards. Courses are structured to include both classroom and field components. The classroom portions can be held in any suitable indoor venue at any time of the year, while field exercises must be conducted in actual avalanche terrain to provide realistic training experiences. For most courses, the recommended class size ranges from 8-20 students, with smaller class sizes recommended for higher-level courses to facilitate better learning outcomes.

Summary of Recent Changes (November 2023)

• Time Commitment Adjustments: The time commitments for several courses, including Avalanche Awareness, Companion Rescue, and the Level 1 and Level 2 modules, were adjusted to align with A3 guidelines.
• Instructor Requirements: New requirements specify that Level 1 Instructors of Record (IORs) must be Professional Members of A3, ensuring instructors meet professional standards recognized by both NSP and A3.
• Operational Risk Management Checklist: A new checklist was added to the Risk Management section, following recommendations from A3 to enhance safety during courses.
• Clarifications for Level 2 Course: The description of the Level 2 course was updated to clarify that it is distinct from a Recreational Level 2 course, highlighting its focus on professional rescue personnel.

Module-Specific Content

Certified Module 1: Avalanche

The Certified Module 1 is designed for candidates seeking advanced knowledge and certification in avalanche hazard assessment and rescue. This module is split into two components: the Primary and Advanced modules, each tailored to meet different levels of expertise and professional requirements.

Primary Module

• Objective: Equip participants with foundational knowledge and skills necessary for safe travel and rescue operations in backcountry environments, especially beyond Western U.S. ski resorts.
• Structure:
  1. Written Exam: 50 questions from a national test bank, completed within 30 minutes.
  2. Oral Interview: Focuses on understanding of avalanche risk assessment and mitigation, lasting 45 minutes.
  3. Practical On-Mountain Session: Assesses ability to apply knowledge in real-world scenarios, lasting approximately one hour.
• Venue and Class Size: Evaluations take place indoors for written and oral exams, and outdoors for practical sessions. Class sizes are minimal to ensure individual assessment.
• Instructor Credentials: Instructors must be Certified members who have passed the module or are approved avalanche professionals. Regular recertification every three years is required.

Advanced Module

• Objective: Tailored for snow safety professionals, building on the Primary Module’s foundation with advanced avalanche mitigation techniques.
• Structure: Combines written exams, oral interviews, and practical evaluations focused on advanced topics.
• Content:
  • Avalanche Mitigation Techniques: Both passive (e.g., terrain modifications) and active (e.g., explosives use).
  • Explosive Safety: Theoretical knowledge of handling explosives, understanding ATFE regulations, and mitigating risks.
  • Field Skills: Conducting organized search operations, managing probe lines, and executing complex shoveling strategies.
• Evaluation Criteria: Minimum 80% on written and oral exams and passing the practical session, including locating buried transceivers within a specified timeframe.

Avalanche Awareness

• Objective: Serve as an introductory session to educate winter recreationists about the basics of avalanche hazards.
• Content:
  • Hazard Identification: Identifying typical avalanche terrain and recognizing signs of avalanche danger.
  • Safety Precautions: Importance of avoiding avalanche-prone areas and carrying rescue equipment.
• Outcome: Understanding avalanche risks and motivation to pursue further training.
• Delivery: 60-90 minutes, delivered in various settings such as schools, clubs, or public events.

Companion and Small Group Rescue

• Objective: Teach critical rescue skills necessary for rescuing buried companions within the first 15 minutes of burial.
• Content:
  • Rescue Techniques: Using avalanche beacons, probing, and shoveling methods effectively.
  • Target Audience: Primarily NSP members, offered as a senior elective or part of the Level 1 course.
  • Field Exercises: Simulated avalanche conditions for hands-on experience.
• Assessment: Classroom instruction and field exercises with a pass/fail evaluation system.

Level 1 Avalanche Course

A comprehensive training program divided into several modules, each focusing on different aspects of avalanche safety.

• Module 1: Avalanche Foundations (Classroom Component)
  • Objective: Introduce fundamental concepts of avalanche hazard, safety, and rescue.
  • Content: Avalanche formation, snowpack analysis, basic decision-making.
  • Outcome: Theoretical foundation without field skill development.
• Module 2: Avalanche Foundations (Field Component)
  • Objective: Provide practical training in avalanche terrain.
  • Content: Snowpack analysis, terrain assessment, small group rescue scenarios.
  • Outcome: Combined with Module 1 to meet Level 1 certification requirements.
• Module 3: Organized Avalanche Rescue
  • Objective: Focus on principles and skills for organized avalanche rescue operations.
  • Content: Rescue management structures, strategic decision-making, large-scale rescue efforts.
  • Outcome: Minimum rescue education for patrollers, prerequisite for senior-level certifications.

Level 2 Avalanche Course

• Objective: Advanced training for organized avalanche rescue personnel, focusing on hazard evaluation, risk management, and leadership.
• Content:
  • Advanced Hazard Evaluation: Evaluating avalanche hazards for immediate and long-term scenarios.
  • Risk Management: Advanced strategies, leadership principles for safe travel and rescue operations.
  • Rescue Operations: Incident alerting, rescue planning, documentation, managing multiple burial situations.
  • Pre-Course Study: Required to prepare participants for intensive training.
• Outcome: Qualification to lead complex rescue operations and educate others in avalanche safety.

Avalanche Senior Elective

• Objective: Designed for senior patrollers, focusing on terrain analysis, route selection, decision-making, leadership, and teamwork in rescue scenarios.
• Content:
  • Avoidance Skills: Identifying and avoiding hazardous avalanche terrain, informed route selection.
  • Leadership and Teamwork: Coordinated rescue efforts, leading and managing rescue teams effectively.
  • Practical Application: Critical thinking skills for quick, informed decisions in the field.
• Outcome: Enhances skills of those in leadership roles within the patrol, not open to non-NSP members.

Course Administration and Quality Management

To ensure the highest standards of education, all NSP avalanche courses require observation and evaluation by an Avalanche Instructor Trainer (IT). This evaluation process includes both the overall course and individual lessons, ensuring that the Instructor of Record (IOR) and other instructors meet the program’s rigorous standards. Courses are structured to include both classroom and field components. The classroom portions can be held in any suitable indoor venue at any time of the year, while field exercises must be conducted in actual avalanche terrain to provide realistic training experiences. For most courses, the recommended class size ranges from 8-20 students, with smaller class sizes recommended for higher-level courses to facilitate better learning outcomes.

Summary of Recent Changes (November 2023)

• Time Commitment Adjustments: The time commitments for several courses, including Avalanche Awareness, Companion Rescue, and the Level 1 and Level 2 modules, were adjusted to align with A3 guidelines.
• Instructor Requirements: New requirements specify that Level 1 Instructors of Record (IORs) must be Professional Members of A3, ensuring instructors meet professional standards recognized by both NSP and A3.
• Operational Risk Management Checklist: A new checklist was added to the Risk Management section, following recommendations from A3 to enhance safety during courses.
• Clarifications for Level 2 Course: The description of the Level 2 course was updated to clarify that it is distinct from a Recreational Level 2 course, highlighting its focus on professional rescue personnel.

Module-Specific Content

Certified Module 1: Avalanche

The Certified Module 1 is designed for candidates seeking advanced knowledge and certification in avalanche hazard assessment and rescue. This module is split into two components: the Primary and Advanced modules, each tailored to meet different levels of expertise and professional requirements.

Primary Module

• Objective: Equip participants with foundational knowledge and skills necessary for safe travel and rescue operations in backcountry environments, especially beyond Western U.S. ski resorts.
• Structure:
  1. Written Exam: 50 questions from a national test bank, completed within 30 minutes.
  2. Oral Interview: Focuses on understanding of avalanche risk assessment and mitigation, lasting 45 minutes.
  3. Practical On-Mountain Session: Assesses ability to apply knowledge in real-world scenarios, lasting approximately one hour.
• Venue and Class Size: Evaluations take place indoors for written and oral exams, and outdoors for practical sessions. Class sizes are minimal to ensure individual assessment.
• Instructor Credentials: Instructors must be Certified members who have passed the module or are approved avalanche professionals. Regular recertification every three years is required.

Advanced Module

• Objective: Tailored for snow safety professionals, building on the Primary Module’s foundation with advanced avalanche mitigation techniques.
• Structure: Combines written exams, oral interviews, and practical evaluations focused on advanced topics.
• Content:
  • Avalanche Mitigation Techniques: Both passive (e.g., terrain modifications) and active (e.g., explosives use).
  • Explosive Safety: Theoretical knowledge of handling explosives, understanding ATFE regulations, and mitigating risks.
  • Field Skills: Conducting organized search operations, managing probe lines, and executing complex shoveling strategies.
• Evaluation Criteria: Minimum 80% on written and oral exams and passing the practical session, including locating buried transceivers within a specified timeframe.

Avalanche Awareness

• Objective: Serve as an introductory session to educate winter recreationists about the basics of avalanche hazards.
• Content:
  • Hazard Identification: Identifying typical avalanche terrain and recognizing signs of avalanche danger.
  • Safety Precautions: Importance of avoiding avalanche-prone areas and carrying rescue equipment.
• Outcome: Understanding avalanche risks and motivation to pursue further training.
• Delivery: 60-90 minutes, delivered in various settings such as schools, clubs, or public events.

Companion and Small Group Rescue

• Objective: Teach critical rescue skills necessary for rescuing buried companions within the first 15 minutes of burial.
• Content:
  • Rescue Techniques: Using avalanche beacons, probing, and shoveling methods effectively.
  • Target Audience: Primarily NSP members, offered as a senior elective or part of the Level 1 course.
  • Field Exercises: Simulated avalanche conditions for hands-on experience.
• Assessment: Classroom instruction and field exercises with a pass/fail evaluation system.

Level 1 Avalanche Course

A comprehensive training program divided into several modules, each focusing on different aspects of avalanche safety.

• Module 1: Avalanche Foundations (Classroom Component)
  • Objective: Introduce fundamental concepts of avalanche hazard, safety, and rescue.
  • Content: Avalanche formation, snowpack analysis, basic decision-making.
  • Outcome: Theoretical foundation without field skill development.
• Module 2: Avalanche Foundations (Field Component)
  • Objective: Provide practical training in avalanche terrain.
  • Content: Snowpack analysis, terrain assessment, small group rescue scenarios.
  • Outcome: Combined with Module 1 to meet Level 1 certification requirements.
• Module 3: Organized Avalanche Rescue
  • Objective: Focus on principles and skills for organized avalanche rescue operations.
  • Content: Rescue management structures, strategic decision-making, large-scale rescue efforts.
  • Outcome: Minimum rescue education for patrollers, prerequisite for senior-level certifications.

Level 2 Avalanche Course

• Objective: Advanced training for organized avalanche rescue personnel, focusing on hazard evaluation, risk management, and leadership.
• Content:
  • Advanced Hazard Evaluation: Evaluating avalanche hazards for immediate and long-term scenarios.
  • Risk Management: Advanced strategies, leadership principles for safe travel and rescue operations.
  • Rescue Operations: Incident alerting, rescue planning, documentation, managing multiple burial situations.
  • Pre-Course Study: Required to prepare participants for intensive training.
• Outcome: Qualification to lead complex rescue operations and educate others in avalanche safety.

Avalanche Senior Elective

• Objective: Designed for senior patrollers, focusing on terrain analysis, route selection, decision-making, leadership, and teamwork in rescue scenarios.
• Content:
  • Avoidance Skills: Identifying and avoiding hazardous avalanche terrain, informed route selection.
  • Leadership and Teamwork: Coordinated rescue efforts, leading and managing rescue teams effectively.
  • Practical Application: Critical thinking skills for quick, informed decisions in the field.
• Outcome: Enhances skills of those in leadership roles within the patrol, not open to non-NSP members.