The Alaska Avalanche School was founded in 1976 by Doug Fesler as an avalanche safety program under the State of Alaska, later becoming an outgrowth of the Alaska Mountain Safety Center. With the hard work and tutelage of Doug Fesler and Jill Fredston, and with support from the Alaskan community AAS has grown to become one of the prominent authorities in Alaska avalanche education and awareness. Our mission is to promote safety in and around the mountain environment through education, research, publishing, and consulting. Today our programs reach all over the state of Alaska, to every kind of backcountry user. From skiers, snowboarders, to mushers, and snow-machiners, our courses offer education to last a lifetime!
Alaska Avalanche School Education
What makes us different? Just take a look at the “about us” page and you will see that our instructors speak for themselves. The best in the industry because they are the industry; ranging from Helicopter guides, AMGA/IFMGA certified guides, Denali climbing guides, Ski patrollers, professional rescue, forecasters, and professional educators. They are who you want as your mentors.
Avalanches are a major component in the mountains of Alaska. Most avalanches affecting people, are triggered by people. Therefore, the goal of AAS education is to increase backcountry users awareness and reduce exposure to avalanche conditions. Since proficiency is born out of experience, AAS emphasizes intensive, hands-on field training at all of our major workshops. Students will have the opportunity to participate in small group sessions focusing on snow science, avalanche environment detection, route selection, and rescue scenarios.
Support & Assistance
The Alaska Avalanche School is grateful for support and assistance from the Alaska Alaska Mountaineering School, Mountain Safety Center, Anchorage Ski Club, Alaska State Parks, Alaska Mountaineering & Hiking, Alaska Pacific University, Alaska State Snowmobile Association, BAART, Friends of the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center, Eagle River and Municipality of Anchorage Parks and Recreation departments, Hatcher Pass Lodge, Kenai Peninsula Borough, REI, U.S. Forest Service, and University of Alaska-Anchorage, State of Alaska; Department of Public Safety, Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Mountain Rescue Group, Bear Tooth Theater Pub, Team CC Skidoo, Backcountry Access and the Pumpkin Hill Foundation.
We are an authorized Fill Station for BCA Float packs!
Remember to test your pack at least once a year then come in and have it recharged for only $10.00!
Alaska Avalanche School Incorporated operates under special use permits with the U.S.F.S and Alaska State Parks
© Alaska Avalanche School 2006 All Rights Reserved
KGBY: Backcountry 101
If you are between the ages of 12 and 18 you won’t want to miss Alaska Avalanche School’s Know Before You Go Backcountry 101 course on Friday February 24th and 25th
This 1 1/2 day course targets the basics of avalanche safely. $100.00
Course Description & Information KBYG Backcountry 101 Course Decription-V2.pdf
Two remaining Level 1 Classes left for the Season!
It is not too late to enroll for the March classes:
March 10-12~Hatcher Pass
March 16-18~Turnagain(Spring Break)
$345.00 for this 3 day course
Get WET!
What do you know about WET SNOW?
Wet Snow Evaluation Workshop $165.00
Half day classroom & Full day in the Field
Learn about & experience the unusual qualities of wet snow in this hands-on workshop.
