Learn simple steps you can take to stay safe and have fun in avalanche terrain. This engaging presentation is grounded in the Know Before You Go Program. Join us at watering holes and other venues across the Flathead Valley in November, December, and January.

Free, no registration needed. Open to all recreationists. All events begin at 6 p.m.

2025/26 Dates:

• November 20th: Jersey Boys Pizzeria – Whitefish
• December 3rd: Andy’s Crafthouse – Bigfork
• December 4th: LOGE – Essex
• December 10th: Stonefly Lounge – Coram
• December 16th: The Rendezvous – Columbia Falls
• December 18th: Penco – Kalispell

Host a private session for your employees as a corporate sponsor. 

This course is an opportunity to get your hands in the snow and gain familiarity with essential concepts and practices for travel in avalanche-prone terrain. With a Thursday evening classroom session at FVCC and a weekend field day, this course offers 11 hours of instruction time. We will cover avalanche terminology, identifying avalanche hazards, snowpack and weather factors, trip planning and preparation, simple decision-making tools, backcountry travel protocols, and companion rescue techniques.

Course Fee: $120

Motorized users, get your course fee fully reimbursed through the Flathead Snowmobile Association.

2025/26 Dates:

• Human-Powered, January 15th and 17th
• Motorized, January 22nd and 24th
• Ladies Human Powered – January 29th and 31st
• Human-Powered, February 26th and 28th

Evening sessions are on Thursdays at FVCC from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday sessions are in the field from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Human-powered field days will take place at Whitefish Mountain Resort. Locations for motorized field days are TBD on the Flathead National Forest. Information and directions will be provided to students before the course date.

Are you confident in your ability to rescue your backcountry partners in the event of an avalanche? These skills are perishable and important to practice every winter, as well as throughout the season. During the morning portion of this clinic, you will rotate between stations practicing the three key pieces of rescue gear: beacon, shovel, and probe. In the afternoon, we’ll put your skills to the test with a mock companion rescue, including a debrief.

Course Fee: $75

Motorized users, get your course fee fully reimbursed through the Flathead Snowmobile Association.

2025/26 Dates:

• Ladies Human-Powered, December 20th
• Motorized, January 3rd
• Human Powered, January 24th
• Human Powered Refresher, February 21st

Human-powered field days will take place at Whitefish Mountain Resort. Locations for motorized field days are TBD on the Flathead National Forest. Information and directions will be provided to students before the course date.

Develop essential skills for snowmobiling in avalanche terrain including trip planning, hazard management, group communication, rescue skills, and terrain choice. This curriculum is designed specifically to meet the needs of motorized users. Riders can expect to also receive some riding skills from local professionals

Course Fee: $450

Motorized users, get your course fee fully reimbursed through the Flathead Snowmobile Association.

Classroom sessions: Expect 1 classroom session at FVCC (6 to 9), with additional online assignments and tutorials prior to field days. Exact dates and times on these classroom sessions TBD.

Field sessions: Field days will be January 31st and February 1st 2026. These locations will be on the Flathead National Forest and the specific locations/trailheads will be decided the week prior to the course based on current snowpack and riding conditions

Looking for a human-powered Level 1? Visit our friends at The Patrol Fund and The Mountain Guides Montana.

Advance your decision-making and avalanche hazard management skills with more field time and deeper study. This course is for motorized users who have had at least a year of backcountry experience since taking their Level 1. Gain understanding in more technical topics as well as competence in application. Over the course of three field days, you will practice field observations, snowpack evaluation, terrain assessment, group communication and more. Visit Flathead Snowmobile Association for information on scholarships.  Riders can expect to also receive some instruction and tips from local professionals on riding in avalanche terrain.

Course Fee:  $550

Classroom Sessions: Expect 1 classroom session in person at FVCC (6 to 9 PM) , with an additional online classroom, as well as homework and tutorials to follow.

Field Sessions: Field days will be February 13th, 14th, and 15th. These locations will be on the Flathead National Forest and the specific locations/trailheads will be decided the week prior to the course based on current snowpack and riding conditions

Looking for a human-powered Level 2? Visit our friends at The Patrol Fund and The Mountain Guides Montana.

Throughout the season, we offer a number of other opportunities for continued learning about avalanches. We kick off the season every November with the Northern Rockies Snow & Avalanche Workshop, an afternoon of presentations from experts in geophysical sciences, behavioral sciences, and more. Throughout the season, we host evening Topics Workshops, one-off deep dives on a single subject. State of the Snowpack is a quick, 15-minute summary about current conditions from the Flathead Avalanche team (often combined with other events). Fireside Chats are a conversational forum for debriefing recent near misses and sharing lessons learned with the community. In February, we host Flathead Avalanche Friends Fest, a multi-day event with opportunities to connect with community, learn about snow, and support our safety mission. In January, February, and March, we also help the Flathead Nordic Backcountry Patrol put on Hot Dog Days beacon clinics at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Proudly providing free avalanche education for elementary through high school students in our region!

We offer field days at Whitefish Mountain Resort as well as classroom presentations. On field days, the morning’s hands-on activity is digging snowpits and identifying layers as snowpack detectives. Afternoons are for rescue practice, so we head to the beacon park and find as many as we can.

These programs are scheduled through the schools, and are not open for public registration. If you are a teacher, contact education@flatheadavalanche.org to inquire about availability and scheduling.