Crevasse Rescue Course for Skiers & Riders

3 Day - Crevasse Rescue Course

Our 3-Day Crevasse Rescue Course is designed for mountaineers, ski mountaineers, and alpinists who want a comprehensive, confidence building deep dive into glacier travel and rescue systems. The extended three day format allows us to go far beyond the basics, giving participants the time to refine rope systems, practice real world rescue scenarios, and truly understand the principles behind safe glacier travel and crevasse extraction.

Over the course of three full field days, you’ll gain both technical proficiency and practical experience in team and solo rescue techniques. With ample time to build repetition and muscle memory, participants develop efficiency under pressure, a crucial skill in high stakes environments. Each day builds intentionally on the last, progressing from fundamental knots and systems to complex rescue setups and multi-person scenarios.

Price: $600.00

Dates: TBD

Why 3 Days Matter

  • You’re not just running one high-intensity “use it or lose it” session — instead you spread out learning over multiple terrain types and scenarios, which builds retention and skill.

  • Day-by-day progression: starting with fundamentals, progressing to practiced drills, culminating in full-scenario integration.

  • More time = more realistic simulation: bigger terrain, more fatigue, more variables (snow conditions, weather, mixed terrain) — which means you’re better prepared for real-world glaciated routes.

  • Opportunity for reflection, debrief and adjustment: after Day 1 you can identify weak areas; Day 2 you rehearse them; Day 3 you execute with more confidence.

  • Team building and muscle memory: the repeated drills allow your body and decision-making to sync up, making responses in an actual incident faster and more automatic.

Day 1 – Base setup, fundamentals & terrain introduction

  • Gather in the morning: gear-check, review of equipment for glacier travel and rescue.

  • Warm-up with basic glacier travel: rope-team techniques, self-arrest, crampon/ice-axe use, travel on snow/ice, hazard awareness.

  • Introduce anchor systems (snow anchors, ice anchors, mixed terrain), knots, hitches, basic hauling/raising concepts.

  • Afternoon or evening: move to base camp (if overnight style) or up onto glacier terrain; assess terrain, set up a temporary classroom on the snow/ice.

  • Debrief: day’s learnings, what to improve, preview of next day’s advanced drills.

  • Course Goals

    • Learn safe glacier travel applicable to skiers & riders

    • Build partner rescue and self-rescue skills

    • Introduce winter snow camping skills

    • Improve communication and teamwork in glaciated terrain

    • Build confidence operating in multi-day winter environments

    Learning Outcomes

    • Build secure snow anchors

    • Arrest and manage crevasse falls

    • Use 3:1, 5:1, and drop-loop hauling systems

    • Perform full partner rescue scenarios

    • Ascend ropes for self-rescue

    • Choose and build safe winter camps

    • Make informed decisions about travel, weather, and terrain

    • Communicate clearly during travel and rescue situations

    • Operate effectively on a multi-day glacier-based trip

  • Day 1

    • Meet at trailhead and review gear

    • Skin to camp and set up snow camp

    • Intro to glacier travel & rope teams

    • Basic snow anchors and rescue fundamentals

    Day 2

    • Practice full crevasse rescue systems

    • Hauling practice (3:1, 5:1, direct haul & drop loop)

    • Self-rescue rope ascension

    • Evening camp routine and skills

    Day 3

    • Final rescue scenarios and team drills

    • Break down camp and return to trailhead

    • Course debrief and next steps

    • Intermediate - advanced riding skills - Should be comfortable linking clean turns down a black diamond run at ski areas.

    • This is an introductory course - No previous backcountry ski touring experience required experience.

    • Basic - Moderate fitness level - Through the day, we will be covering anywhere from 1,150 - 2,000 vertical feet over the course of the day. You should be capable of performing this at a slow & steady pace.

    • Arrive with proper equipment - You must provide yourself with the equipment displayed below in the gear list. If you do not own something, you can either rent from us or rent from a local shop.

  • Included:

    • Friendly AMGA trained guides

    • Applicible recreation & forest service permits

    • Ropes, snow protection, group training gear

    • Group first aid & GPS communication devices

    • Waste Disposal bags in compliance with Leave “No Trace Principles”

    • Tents

    • Stoves / Fuel

    Not included:

    • Crampons, ice axe, harness, carabiners

    • Beacon, Probe, Shovel

    • Food & Snacks

    • Transportation

    • Guide Gratuities

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Day 2 – Intensive practice & scenario drills

  • Early start: full day in glaciated terrain under real or simulated conditions (crevasses, snow bridges, varying slopes).

  • Focused drills: rope-team travel across crevassed terrain, recognizing hazards, safe spacing, anchor building under fatigue/less ideal conditions.

  • Hauling/raising systems: set up simple and compound mechanical advantage systems (3:1, 5:1, Z-pulley etc), transfer loads, simulate a casualty hanging.

  • Self-rescue elements: victim ascending, prusiks, rope-ascension, as well as team rescue.

  • Scenario work: rescue from lip of crevasse, stabilising a victim, constructing anchors in tricky positions, hauling out packs/injured climber.

  • Evening debrief: what worked, what didn’t. Adjust gear, refine techniques.

Day 3 – Consolidation, advanced variations & exit

  • Morning: revisit key weak points identified from Day 2 — perhaps more difficult terrain (steeper ice, complex crevasse lips, large loads).

  • Full scenario(s): simulate realistic rescue under time/fatigue pressure; perhaps include unexpected element (injured team member, worse weather, pack snag, deeper crevasse).

  • Wrap-up anchor & rescue system variations: mixing snow + ice + rock anchors; alternative rescue systems; decision making (when to bail, when to call for external assistance).

  • Packing up: break camp (if overnight), descend, transition from “training mode” to “prepared mode”.

  • Final debrief and reflection: gear maintenance, team communication lessons, next steps for your alpine objectives.