M.A.S.T 2 In-Person Course

M.A.S.T 2 In-Person Course Instruction

Course Schedule

Day 1

Morning Meeting – 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM

Please arrive on time, coffee in hand, and get settled—our course will begin promptly at 8:00 AM.

We’ll start the day with introductions and a comprehensive overview of what to expect throughout your Level 2 training. The morning will focus on key concepts that set the tone for the rest of the course:

How to interpret the avalanche bulletin and apply it to real-world trip planning
A review of group travel habits and terrain management strategies
Collaborative zone selection for the afternoon’s in-field component

This 3-day course is designed for riders who already have a solid foundation. There is limited time for review, so it’s expected that you come prepared with:

Prior completion of Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 (AST 1)
A working knowledge of avalanche terrain, snowpack, hazard identification, and rescue basics
Experience applying these skills in real backcountry settings

We’re here to build on your existing knowledge—and push your skills further in real terrain.

Field Instruction – 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM

Please arrive at the course with your sleds fueled, your gear prepped, and your food packed. You should be ready to transition directly into the field after the morning briefing.

We’ll begin with a quick review of avalanche rescue equipment to ensure everything is functioning properly. From there, we’ll dive into rescue techniques and planning, setting the tone for a focused day of hands-on training.

Throughout the field session, you’ll:

Receive direct instruction on rescue gear use
Participate in mock rescues to practice response timing and coordination
Refine your rescue planning under real-world conditions

We’ll also shift our focus to terrain identification and assessment, using the avalanche bulletin to guide our decisions. You’ll explore a mix of simple and challenging avalanche terrain, applying your knowledge to evaluate current hazard levels.

As we move through the mountains, we’ll work as a team to:

Identify avalanche terrain features
Practice safe, strategic group travel habits
Build awareness around spacing, communication, and terrain traps

By the end of the day, you’ll have:

Developed effective team travel strategies for managing avalanche risk

Strengthened your avalanche rescue skills

Improved your ability to recognize and evaluate terrain hazards

Day 2

Morning Meeting – 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM

Please arrive promptly at 8:00 AM. Bring your coffee and treats if you’d like—get comfortable and ready to dive in.

By this point in the course, you’ve explored how weather, snowpack, and avalanche hazard are interconnected. Each morning, we’ll begin with a team-based review of:

The avalanche bulletin
The day’s weather forecast

This process is designed to help you apply your knowledge to daily trip planning and riding zone selection. Working as a group, you’ll develop your ability to make informed, hazard-aware decisions based on current conditions.

As we transition into the day’s field component, our focus will shift toward:

Integrating prevailing snowpack conditions into terrain planning
Matching route selection with the day’s forecasted weather trends
Navigating real-world avalanche terrain with purpose and precision

You’ll also learn an essential truth: forecasts don’t always get it right. Weather and avalanche predictions can miss the mark, which is why critical thinking becomes a key skill in your backcountry toolkit.

This session challenges you to think on your feet, apply your learning in the field, and build the confidence to make sound, experience-driven decisions—no matter what the forecast says.

Field Instruction – 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM

We kindly request that you arrive fully prepared. Your sleds should be fueled, and your gear and food packed to allow for a seamless transition into the field.

As we build on your equipment readiness and core rescue skills, the focus will now shift to:

Covering larger terrain zones
Sharpening field observations
Expanding your ability to assess real-time hazard levels

You’ll be introduced to practical, effective methods for evaluating snow stability, including:

Sled-assisted snowpack testing
Simple field tests for quick assessments
Track observations to interpret snow behavior under load

Our goal is to help you assess the current avalanche hazard using:

Smart terrain selection
Proven group travel strategies
Focused, real-time field observations

To reinforce your understanding of avalanche formation, you’ll engage in hands-on activities such as:

Track pits to reveal recent snow behavior
Probe penetration tests to identify ideal digging locations
Snow pit analysis to observe weak layers and structure

These exercises will elevate your awareness of snowpack dynamics and increase your confidence in making hazard-based decisions in challenging and complex terrain.

Whiskey & Words – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Given the intensity of the day’s fieldwork, we recognize that fatigue may set in. Based on group energy and logistics, we may adjust the evening session to run from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A communal supper will accompany this instructional block to help refuel and reset before diving back in.

This format is designed to:

Maximize your hands-on time in the field
Reinforce key concepts through targeted review
Improve long-term retention of complex topics

Having worked closely with the group throughout the day, our instructors will tailor this session to address specific knowledge gaps and reinforce critical areas.

Focus areas may include:

Deepening understanding of avalanche formation and triggers
Recognizing and responding to touchy vs. stubborn slab behavior
Honing observational skills and snowpack testing techniques
Strengthening avalanche rescue proficiency and field planning
Practicing backcountry etiquette and establishing safe travel habits
Improving mapping and route selection skills
Exploring the role of human factors in avalanche accidents

By covering these essential topics in a low-pressure, discussion-based format, we aim to deepen your knowledge, sharpen your skills, and give you the decision-making tools you need to mitigate risk effectively in complex backcountry environments.

Day 3

Morning Meeting – 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM

We appreciate your punctuality, as class begins promptly at 8:00 AM. Feel free to bring your coffee and snacks to stay sharp and comfortable throughout the session.

Today’s morning meeting introduces a new approach focused on improving how you interpret and apply the avalanche bulletin to real-world trip planning. This session emphasizes collaboration and teamwork, reinforcing the idea that five heads are better than one.

In the backcountry—especially when working with mechanical machines—challenges often require a group effort to resolve. Avalanche hazard management is no different. Learning to operate as a team is a critical part of reducing risk and improving safety outcomes.

Key learning points include:

Developing a team-based decision-making process
Strengthening group communication in dynamic terrain
Applying bulletin data collaboratively to improve route planning

By fostering a team-oriented mindset, this session aims to elevate your ability to make informed, risk-aware decisions with your crew. The more aligned your group, the safer and more effective your backcountry travel becomes.

Field Instruction – 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM

We appreciate your preparedness as we enter the final day of the course. Please ensure your sleds are fueled, and all gear and food are packed for a full day in the mountains.

Today’s field session is your opportunity to put everything into practice. As a team, we’ll navigate through a variety of avalanche terrain—ranging from simple to challenging, and, if conditions allow, complex terrain.

The day’s priorities include:

Advancing avalanche rescue skills—both individual and team-based
Developing a collaborative rescue plan tailored to dynamic scenarios
Addressing common real-world issues such as electrical interference
Learning how to use your machine as a rescue tool to conserve energy

Strong communication and efficient teamwork will be essential. You’ll work together under pressure, applying structured response protocols and reinforcing your role in a well-functioning rescue team.

Throughout the day, we’ll maintain a continuous assessment of avalanche hazard as we move through varied terrain. Instructors will provide real-world challenges and scenarios to help reinforce decision-making and encourage critical thinking in the field.

This immersive approach emphasizes:

Application of knowledge for long-term retention
Field-based learning that connects classroom theory to real terrain
Constant skill reinforcement through hands-on coaching and feedback

Our goal is to solidify your ability to assess and respond to avalanche hazards with confidence. By the end of the day, you’ll have strengthened your group travel strategy, rescue execution, and hazard awareness—ensuring you’re prepared to keep your crew safe in real backcountry conditions.