Outdoor Recreation   

This is an opportunity to get your hands in the snow and gain familiarity with essential concepts and practices for travel in avalanche-prone terrain. With an evening classroom session and eight-hour weekend field day, this course offers 11 hours of instruction time.

This course will include avalanche terminology, identifying avalanche hazards and terrain, snowpack and weather factors, trip planning and preparation, simple decision-making tools, backcountry travel protocols and companion rescue techniques including the use of avalanche transceivers, shovels and probes will be covered.

Required Gear: You are required to have a fully operational modern avalanche transceiver (457kHz), an avalanche shovel (no plastic blades) and an avalanche probe. You are required to have downhill (or backcountry) skis or snowboard with appropriate bindings. You do not need climbing skins.

This is an opportunity to get your hands in the snow and gain familiarity with essential concepts and practices for travel in avalanche-prone terrain. With an evening classroom session and eight-hour weekend field day this course offers 11 hours of instruction time.

The course will include avalanche terminology, identifying avalanche hazards and terrain, snowpack and weather factors, trip planning and preparation, simple decision-making tools, backcountry travel protocols and companion rescue techniques including the use of avalanche transceivers, shovels and probes will be covered.

A fully operational modern avalanche transceiver (457kHz), an avalanche shovel (no plastic blades) and an avalanche probe are required. Also, you must have your own registered snowmobile/snowbike that is in good working condition.

Be confident in your ability to rescue your backcountry partners in the event of an avalanche. These skills are perishable and important to practice every winter as well as throughout the season.

Expect outside lectures, combined with hands on training. During the morning, rotate between stations for each key piece of rescue gear: beacon, shovel, and probe. In the afternoon, put your skills to the text with a mock companion rescue, including a debrief.

You are required to have a fully operational modern avalanche transceiver (457kHz), an avalanche shovel (no plastic blades) and an avalanche probe. You are required to have downhill (or backcountry) skis or snowboard with appropriate bindings. You do not need climbing skins.

Develop essential skills for snowmobiling in avalanche terrain including trip planning, hazard management, group communication, rescue skills, and terrain choice. This curriculum is designed specifically to meet the needs of motorized users. Riders can expect to also receive some riding skills from local professionals. Visit Flathead Snowmobile Association for information on scholarships. 

Classroom sessions: Expect 1 classroom session at FVCC (6 to 9), with additional online assignments and tutorials prior to field days. Exact dates and times on these classroom sessions TBD.

Field sessions: Field days will be January 31st and February 1st 2026. These locations will be on the Flathead National Forest and the specific locations/trailheads will be decided the week prior to the course based on current snowpack and riding conditions.

This is an opportunity to get your hands in the snow and gain familiarity with essential concepts and practices for travel in avalanche-prone terrain. With an evening classroom session and eight-hour weekend field day, this course offers 11 hours of instruction time.

This course will include avalanche terminology, identifying avalanche hazards and terrain, snowpack and weather factors, trip planning and preparation, simple decision-making tools, backcountry travel protocols and companion rescue techniques including the use of avalanche transceivers, shovels and probes will be covered.

Required Gear: You are required to have a fully operational modern avalanche transceiver (457kHz), an avalanche shovel (no plastic blades) and an avalanche probe. You are required to have downhill (or backcountry) skis or snowboard with appropriate bindings. You do not need climbing skins.

Advance your decision-making and avalanche hazard management skills with more field time and deeper study. This course is for motorized users who have had at least a year of backcountry experience since taking their Level 1. Gain understanding in more technical topics as well as competence in application. Over the course of three field days, you will practice field observations, snowpack evaluation, terrain assessment, group communication and more.  Riders can expect to also receive some instruction and tips from local professionals on riding in avalanche terrain. Visit Flathead Snowmobile Association for information on scholarships.  

Classroom Sessions: Expect 1 classroom session in person at FVCC (6 to 9 PM), with an additional online classroom, as well as online assignments and tutorials prior to field days. 

Field Sessions: Field days will be February 13th, 14th, and 15th. These locations will be on the Flathead National Forest and the specific locations/trailheads will be decided the week prior to the course based on current snowpack and riding conditions.

Learn the basics of classic skiing on the groomed trails of Glacier Nordic Center. 

Build on fundamentals and fitness gained from classic skiing, ice skating or alpine skiing to get started in skate skiing. 

This clinic is designed for people who have already taken an Avi course and a Rescue Clinic in previous seasons; it is not a beginner class. 

Be confident in your ability to rescue your backcountry partners in the event of an avalanche. These skills are perishable and important to practice every winter, as well as throughout the season.

Expect outside lectures, combined with hands on training. During the morning, rotate between stations for each key piece of rescue gear: beacon, shovel, and probe. In the afternoon, put your skills to the text with a mock companion rescue, including a debrief.

You are required to have a fully operational modern avalanche transceiver (457kHz), an avalanche shovel (no plastic blades) and an avalanche probe. You are required to have downhill (or backcountry) skis or snowboard with appropriate bindings. You do not need climbing skins.

This is an opportunity to get your hands in the snow and gain familiarity with essential concepts and practices for travel in avalanche-prone terrain. With an evening classroom session and eight-hour weekend field day, this course offers 11 hours of instruction time.

This course will include avalanche terminology, identifying avalanche hazards and terrain, snowpack and weather factors, trip planning and preparation, simple decision-making tools, backcountry travel protocols and companion rescue techniques including the use of avalanche transceivers, shovels and probes will be covered.

Required Gear: You are required to have a fully operational modern avalanche transceiver (457kHz), an avalanche shovel (no plastic blades) and an avalanche probe. You are required to have downhill (or backcountry) skis or snowboard with appropriate bindings. You do not need climbing skins.

Learn horse packing and backcountry camping skills using traditional manties and modern equipment in this hands-on class. Individual equipment for practice and diagram booklet provided. The Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead offer $50 scholarships for those who attend all sessions, and attendance is important as each class builds on the last. 

Learn and practice accident prevention and rescue techniques. Develop skills for river emergencies. This course is designed for private boaters as well as profesisonal river guides. 

Explore the fine points of basic casting from a Fly Fishing Federation-certified instructor. The grip, wrist stop and loop control are included.

Explore the fine points of basic casting from a Fly Fishing Federation-certified instructor. The grip, wrist stop and loop control are included.