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
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 borne 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 Mountain Safety Center, Anchorage Ski Club, Alaska State Parks, Alaska Mountaineering & Hiking, Alaska Pacific University, Alaska State Snowmobile Association, BAART, North America Outdoor Institute (NAOI), 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.
FREE AVALANCHE AWARENESS PROGRAMS
Join us for our FREE PROGRAMS around the state of Alaska! Through State Funding from the Department of Public Safety, AAS has been awarded a grant for Avalanche Awareness Programs for the 2009-2010 Season. Learn about avalanche terrain analysis, beacon use, probing, route finding and more!
CLICK HERE for more information and the schedule of FREE PROGRAMS!
SEE YOU IN THE MOUNTAINS!
WE KNOW SNOW!
PROGRAMS TO PUT ON YOUR CALENDAR
Join us on January 30th for a FREE Avalanche Awareness Lecture!
This will be held at the Carr-Gottstein building on the APU Campus in Anchorage Alaska. Arrive 10-15 minutes early to Sign-In and grab a seat! Program Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
See the State Wide Programs Page for more information on our offerings.
Another great date to put on your calendar...
Join us on Friday February 12th, 7:00 pm, at the APU Campus for the Backcountry Film Festival!
(Check below for more information)
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
