Regardless of your skill level or experience, you can always learn more when it comes to backcountry outings. And it’s imperative to be well versed in avalanche safety and search and rescue techniques before ever venturing out of ski area boundaries.
Luckily, North Lake Tahoe is full of local experts with intimate knowledge of the area and are your best source for information. Sign up for one of the many winter training courses offered throughout the region to acquire, refine or refresh your winter skills. And visit Take Care Tahoe’s Backcountry Awareness page for additional information and resources.
Alpenglow Expeditions offers a full menu of ski courses including AIARE Level 1, 2 and Avalanche Rescue along with Backcountry 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and women specific clinics. They also offer private backcountry ski guides to help provide a fun, safe and unique experience.
Alpine Skills International specializes in AIARE Level 1, 2 & 3 Avalanche Courses, telemark, randonnée, backcountry snowboarding and winter mountaineering along with ice climbing in the famous Lee Vining Canyon.
Backcountry Babes is an outdoor education program that specializes in cultivating women’s leadership outdoors and offers AIARE classes, advanced mountaineering classes and guided backcountry tours.
Blackbird Mountain Guides offer AIARE Level 1 courses, skills and ski tours that incorporate learning in a fun ski tour.
Donner Summit Avalanche Seminars offer Level 1, Level 2, Avalanche Refresher Courses, and custom Avalanche Rescue Courses with experienced professionals.
Homewood Mountain Resort offers a series of backcountry workshops ranging from courses for those who have never tried backcountry skiing/snowboarding before, to the advanced rider looking to brush up on techniques. They are not AIARE courses but are meant to compliment them. Snowcat Adventures are also available through Homewood which access over 750 acres of backcountry terrain.
International Alpine Guides a full service international mountain guiding company, offer Avalanche Rescue along with Level 1 and 2 AIARA training.
North American Ski Training Center provides instruction on skiing techniques and backcountry skills, including avalanche training, ski mountaineering courses, route finding and safe backcountry travel.
S.A.F.E. A.S. clinics are tailored, beginner to experienced friendly avalanche awareness and safety clinics. They provide clinics at Squaw Valley Resort a few times a season, some being women specific with others being co-ed.
Sierra Avalanche Center is offering Level 1, Rescue, and Level 2 avalanche classes for motorized users.
Tahoe Mountain School provides professional education for backcountry enthusiasts ranging from avalanche education, backcountry skiing, snow and rock climbing, and wilderness medicine.