Getting Started with Avalanche Education
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Avalanche education should be top-of-mind for all backcountry enthusiasts this winter. Why? An unprecedented number of newcomers are expected to travel into the backcountry this season. This does not just pertain to skiers. Who else falls in...
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The 2020 AAI Foundations of Backcountry Touring Series Sponsored by Stio
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
We are excited to announce the launch of the American Avalanche Institute's Foundations of Backcountry Touring with our friends at Stio. Live on Instagram Thursdays at 4pm MST The Details: When? Every Thursday at 4 PM MST from Octo...
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Avalanche Education Survey and Online Courses
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
One of our owners and lead instructors, Sarah Carpenter, created the Avalanche Education survey to start gathering more information about who is using the backcountry and what kind of avalanche education they have under their belts. Click here t...
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The Human Factor: How it Affects Communication and Decision-Making
Friday, May 8, 2020
Sarah Carpenter is an owner and lead instructor at the American Avalanche Institute. On her backcountry travels, she takes notice of how the 'human factor' affects communications and travel plans, often without us knowing. What is the Hu...
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The Risk Equation: How To Identify and Manage Risk
Friday, May 8, 2020
Sarah and Don Carpenter, owners and lead instructors at the American Avalanche Institute, use the Risk Equation when ski touring in the backcountry. In addition, they also use the risk equation when planning a mountain biking or hiking trip. ...
View ArticleHow to Store Ski Gear for the Summer
Monday, May 4, 2020
When you store ski gear for the end of the season, here are a few simple things you can do that will not only save you a lot of time when next season gets underway, it will keep you safe. Why Prepping to Store Ski Gear For Summer is Importa...
View ArticleUsing the AAI Checklist to Plan Your Backcountry Ski Touring
Friday, May 1, 2020
Don Carpenter, co-owner of the AAI and lead instructor, drove the creation of the Backcountry Checklist because backcountry terrain is a complex environment. It is also a high-risk environment, with high consequences if something goes wrong. ...
View ArticleBackcountry Climbing Skins: How to Reglue Skins or Revive Skin Glue
Friday, May 1, 2020
Sarah Carpenter, co-owner of the AAI and lead instructor, spends a good deal of time on her backcountry skins. So when one begins to flap around on a tour and no longer sticks, it's ready to be repaired or reglued. Here's a step-by-step guide with...
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ALPTRUTH and FACETS: Two Acronyms that Can Save Your Life
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Why do you need to know about ALPTRUTH and FACETS? Because these two acronyms can help you sort information and possibly save your life when you are faced with the decision of whether or not to travel in avalanche terrain. STATE OF THE SNOWPA...
View ArticleJackson Avalanche Conditions Update – Dec 16 2019
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Jackson Avalanche Conditions Update: Our latest snowpack update from this Monday the 16th of December on "The Big Do It" in the Bridger Teton Range, Wyoming following a natural slide release earlier in the week on the slope Don gives a brief update ...
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