Education
What is Avalanche Terrain?
Identifying Avalanche Terrain Recognizing avalanche terrain is an essential skill. As you spend more time in the backcountry, this terrain recognition will help you to
October 9, 2024
AAI Blog
Education
Stio Fernos Insulated Jacket Review
The Stio Fernos Insulated Jacket is a versatile, stylish, and rugged mid-layer. I’ve worn this jacket whileteaching avalanche courses in everything from -15 to 40,
March 20, 2024
Education
Mammut Barryvox S Beacon Review
Whether I’m ski guiding or leading avalanche safety courses, the Mammut Barryvox S is my favorite avalanche transceiver. I’ve used this device since 2019 without
December 11, 2023
Education
Professional & Recreational Avalanche Training
Beginning in 2017/18, the avalanche education industry as a whole split the education track into a professional education track and recreational education track. This means
April 29, 2022
Education
2021 Foundations of Backcountry Touring Series by Stio and the American Avalanche Institute
We’re excited to kick off our 2nd Annual Foundations of Backcountry Touring Series with our friends at Stio! Here’s how to join us: Tune in
October 23, 2021
News
Getting Started with Your Avalanche Education
Avalanche education should be top-of-mind for all skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers this winter. Who else falls into this category? Nordic skiers Snowshoers Fat Bikers Hikers
October 1, 2021
News
Decision Making in High Stakes Environments: A Conversation with Annie Duke
Hosted by Sarah Carpenter “Improving decision quality is about increasing our chances of good outcomes, not guaranteeing them.” – Annie Duke: Author. Speaker. Decision Strategist.
March 11, 2021
Education
The 2020 AAI Foundations of Backcountry Touring Series Sponsored by Stio
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
September 29, 2020
Education
Avalanche Education Survey and Online Courses
When we talk about the Human Factor, we are referring to how our natural tendencies influence our behavior. As part of this human factor, we also need to talk about risk tolerance, and that we all deal with risk a bit differently.
June 30, 2020
Education
The Human Factor: How it Affects Communication and Decision-Making
When we talk about the Human Factor, we are referring to how our natural tendencies influence our behavior. As part of this human factor, we also need to talk about risk tolerance, and that we all deal with risk a bit differently.
May 8, 2020
Education
The Risk Equation: How To Identify and Manage Risk
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,
May 8, 2020
How to Store Ski Gear for the Summer
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
May 4, 2020
Education
Using the AAI Checklist to Plan Your Backcountry Ski Touring
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
May 1, 2020
Education
Backcountry Climbing Skins: How to Reglue Skins or Revive Skin Glue
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
May 1, 2020
News
Don Sharaf
Donald Sharaf is a lead avalanche course instructor and a former owner of AAI. He has spent 30 years backcountry skiing and riding all over the
March 13, 2020
