This course is for climbers and skiers who are looking to take the first step towards learning about avalanches, what causes them, and how they can be avoided. You’ll start with some handouts and a short lecture at Pinkham Notch, followed by a ski tour (or snowshoe) into either Tuckerman Ravine or the Gulf of Slides. Along the way and up in the ravine, we’ll cover the following subjects:

  • Mount Washington weather
  • how to identify avalanche terrain
  • basic route finding and safe travel in the ravines
  • transceiver training and mock rescue
  • snowpits and basic snowpack analysis

This course is available as a private, pre-existing group, or via our Flexible Booking option (we’ll try to match you with other participants).

  • Choose whether this is a private (1 person) or an existing group. Prices are per person per day.
  • Please choose the number of days.
    Please enter a number from 1 to 7.
  • $0.00
  • Online booking is available 2 days from today (please call or email to inquire about earlier dates; we can often accommodate last minute requests). If you are booking for multiple days, this will be your starting date.
    MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • We'll be in touch to work out specific details, but please briefly describe your outdoor background (relative to the course or guiding objective) and goals.
  • Please read and check the box if you agree to the policies.

    Online Bookings
    Online bookings are subject to guide availability and other factors such as weather and climbing conditions. After receiving your online booking, we will get back to you within 1 business day via phone or email to confirm your booking. In the event that we cannot accommodate your booking, you have the option of having your payment refunded or applied to a future booking.

    Payment
    SMG accepts credit cards, PayPal, checks, and cash. Payment is due in full 7 days before a booking (or at time of booking confirmation when a course/trip is less than 7 days away). An exception is made for payment by check or cash...in these cases, payment is due in full at or before the course/trip.

    Cancellations
    If you have to cancel your booking, please give us as much notice as possible. If you cancel 30+ days before the booking, we’ll apply the deposit/payment towards another booking at a later date or you can request a refund. If you cancel from 14-29 days before the booking, we’ll apply the deposit/payment towards another booking at a later date. If you cancel 13 days or sooner from the booking, for any reason, the deposit/payment is forfeited.

    Weather & Winter
    Winter courses/trips are rain or shine. If SMG cancels a booking due to weather, we will reschedule you for an alternate date of your choice.

  • Total

Pay a 50% Deposit

Mountains, Cliffs, & Routes

We use a variety of terrain on Mount Washington for this course:

  • Tuckerman Ravine
  • Gulf of Slides
  • Huntington Ravine
Difficulty

Beginner - Advanced

Length

One to Multiple Days

Season

Winter

Inquire

Have a question about Mount Washington Avalanche Awareness?