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American Avalanche Institute

@avyinstitute

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Avalanche education since 1973.
Professional & recreational avalanche training
Field-based education. Practical decision-making.

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Windy parking lot briefings vs. a warm classroom at Pinkham Notch ...

All Avalanche Courses are the same...right? Well, yes and no.

While all major providers offer American Avalanche Association (A3) approved courses—allowing you to take classes from a variety of providers we approach our course setups a bit different.

Here is why our courses stand out:

☕ 1. Warm Morning Meetings & PM Debriefs
We provide indoor classroom space at Pinkham Notch for our field days. An appropriate AM meeting and post-tour debrief are crucial for analyzing terrain, weather, and the snowpack. When participants are cold and tired, the learning suffers. We keep you warm, focused, and sharp.

📖 2. Physical Materials Mailed Early
We mail your course materials straight to your door ahead of time. This allows you to get a jumpstart on the curriculum and build familiarity with our Field Notebook before day one.

🌱 3. Purpose-Driven Education
We proudly support organizations, brands, and people making a real difference. We are aligned with @bcorporation , partner with @1percentftp , and employ the absolute best instructors.

Ready to build your backcountry foundation safely this winter?

🔗Tap the link in our bio to view upcoming course dates and secure your spot!

#AvalancheSafety #BackcountrySkiing #PinkhamNotch #A3Avalanche #AvalancheCourse WinterBackcountry EarnYourTurns

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Our fifth installation of the Pro One at Mt. Washington with the @avyinstitute will happen February 8-12.

Are you looking to stay current with industry standards or want to advance your career as a contributing member of an operational team that works in or around Avalanche terrain?

Prerequisites include Avalanche Level One, Avalanche Rescue & at least 20 days of relevant work experience in the industry.

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4 SAW tickets are live! Be sure to get yours and all the other details through the link in our bio!

We are stoked to be hosting the 7th Four Corners Snow and Avalanche Workshop for films, speakers, and clinics for pros and advanced rec users alike.

4SAW started in 2019 as an opportunity for industry professionals and advanced recreationalists across the region to gather for engaging conversations, community building and to learn about cutting edge developments and best practices from around the snow and avalanche world. After a one year hiatus in 2025, 4SAW is back for the fall of 2026 with speakers, a discussion panel and breakout sessions designed for more interaction and curated topics for participants to choose from. We are proud to once again have the support of A3, the American Avalanche Association to help us put on this Workshop!

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Happy summer FOSJ friends! We’re excited to get our winter programming started again, and our first event of the year will be 4 SAW! That’s right folks, the 4 Corners Snow and Avalanche Workshop is back, and we’re stoked to be your hosts! This event is specifically focused on advanced rec users and professionals looking to expand their knowledge, connect with pros, and grow their tool chest for the coming season.

Tickets go on sale August 17th, so mark your calendars! More details coming soon, but this is one event you won’t want to miss!

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Our Lead instructor for the American Avalanche Institute Pro 1 course in January, Christian Santelices. Half American and Half Chilean, Christian has spent most of his life exploring the hight peaks both in Chile and the States as well as his home mountain Jackson Hole. He has been teaching avalanche safety for decades and we can't wait to have him back.

If you are interested in taking the PRO 1 course feel free to reach out or check our course page on our website.

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🚨 NOW HIRING 🚨

Avalanche Center Director + 2 Avalanche Forecasters

📍 Missoula, Montana

The U.S. Forest Service, in partnership with the West Central Montana Avalanche Center (WCMAC), is hiring one Avalanche Center Director and two Avalanche Forecasters.

These positions represent an exciting investment in the future of avalanche forecasting, snow science, and public safety throughout west-central Montana.

If you've dreamed of building a career in professional avalanche forecasting, now is the time to apply.

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🏔️ AVALANCHE CENTER DIRECTOR

📅 Application Deadline: July 6, 2026

• USAJOBS Announcement: 26-R5-GVA-12988603-DP-GVS

• Apply through USAJOBS with a federal résumé.

• Also listed on the American Avalanche Association (A3) Professional Employment page under the Forest Service Avalanche Program.

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❄️ AVALANCHE FORECASTERS (2)

📅 Application Deadline: July 14, 2026

Two Meteorological Technician/Avalanche Specialist positions are available in Missoula to support the Avalanche Center Director and forecasting operations.

• Also listed on the American Avalanche Association (A3) Professional Employment page under the Meteorological Technician/Avalanche Specialist listings.

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⏳ Application windows are short, so don't wait.

If you've dreamed of working in professional avalanche forecasting, or know someone who would be a great fit, please share this post.

These positions represent an exciting step forward for avalanche forecasting, snow science, and public safety in west-central Montana. We look forward to welcoming outstanding applicants to the team.

Questions?

🔗 Visit the link in our bio for application information, or contact us directly.

#WestCentralMontanaAvalancheCenter #WCMAC #USForestService #AvalancheForecasting #SnowScience #AvalancheEducation #BackcountryCareers #Missoula #Montana #NowHiring

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PRO1 COURSE UPDATE 📣, we had to postpone the March course one day after originally scheduled for, apologies for the inconvenience that it may cause.
NEW DATES:

-January 6-11
-March 11-16

This course is designed for avalanche workers early in their careers, or for experienced workers wanting to stay current with industry standards. During this course, we will focus on developing systems for planning and executing a route, as well as for evaluating snow stability. The goal of this course is to help students become skilled observers who will contribute to a professional team.

How to sign up? Hit the link in our Bio or visit the course page on our website.

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Turning the page on this round of winter and spring, smiling on the memories, wishing for more snow - another trip south to stir it up all over again
@phantomsnowindustries
@chimerasnowboards
@pccats
@goodfriends&family

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Not the deepest snow year in the Western US, but still an unforgettable winter thanks to all my amazing guests. So many good turns and plenty of laughs were shared in skin-tracks all over the globe. If a ski / boarding trip is on your radar down the line, don’t hesitate to reach out!

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On International Women’s Day, twelve women were given the opportunity to level-up their backcountry education during a special Avalanche Level 1 course hosted by the American Avalanche Institute, SheJumps, and Mammut.

Led by two female guides, the session focused on building backcountry confidence and sharpening decision-making skills. By the end, we were all reminded that empowerment in the mountains comes from both knowledge and community.

These amazing photos (captured by Grace W. with Outdoor Prolink) offer just a glimpse into how awesome the day was.

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The JHSC March Backcountry Newsletter is here and it’s packed with adventure, learning, and a whole lot of stoke.

February brought big moments for our backcountry programs. Our 4 Month Team completed their Avalanche Course through the American Avalanche Institute @avyinstitute , building essential skills in safety, awareness, and decision-making through both classroom and field sessions. And yes… they were rewarded with some fresh powder turns out on Olive Oil.

Our MiniMountaineers have been busy too: training hard during their @snowkingmountain sessions and celebrating Ski Mountaineering’s Olympic debut with a SkiMo-inspired day honoring @annaagibsonn . Transitions, uphill laps, new skills, and plenty of laughter made it a day to remember.

They also headed into Grand Teton National Park @grandtetonnps for unforgettable backcountry days exploring Maverick’s and Aspen Ridge, building jumps, taking in the views, and simply enjoying time in the mountains together.

As we head into the final week of the season, we’re soaking up every moment! Read more at the link in our bio!

@jhsc_backcountry

#JHSC #Backcountry #SkiMo #AvalancheEducation

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This past weekend I had the wonderful opportunity of capturing an all women’s Avalanche Level 1 course put on by @shejumps @avyinstitute and @mammutna ! Here are some of my favorite shots 🏔️🎀🎿

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