AVALANCHE

Avalanche Programs & Resources

National Ski Patrol began instructing ski patrollers and other search and rescue personnel in avalanche safety in 1957. This makes it the oldest and most experienced provider of avalanche education.

American Avalanche Association (A3):

• NSP is an A3 recognized provider of Avalanche Awareness, Avalanche Rescue, and level 1 Avalanche courses. Students who complete these NSP avalanche courses can use them to satisfy prerequisites for more advanced avalanche education. This includes level 2 courses offered by other providers and courses on the professional track. 
• Browse NSP Avalanche Courses in the Center for Learning.
  

C-RAD - Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment - A volunteer organization providing trainings for successful search and rescue teams.

WBR - Wasatch Backcountry Rescue

Avalanche Forecast Sites:
Avalanche.org - A site that compiles all Avalanche Forecasting Websites
CAIC - Colorado Avalanche Information Center
UAC - Utah Avalanche Center
NWAC - Northern Avalanche Center
SAC - Sierra Avalanche Center 
BTAC - Bridger Teton Avalanche Center
MWAC - Mount Washington Avalanche Center
ASRC - Atmosphere Sciences Research Center 

Regional Snow and Avalanche Website Links: 

ISSW - International Snow Science Workshops
ISSW - NSP Summaries of 15 Interesting Papers
PROSAW - Professional Snow Avalanche Workshop
Colorado Snow and Avalanche Workshops
ESAW - Eastern Snow and Avalanche Workshop 

National Avalanche Foundation and The National Avalanche School

NSP holds an important board seat on the National Avalanche Foundation (NAF). By being part of the NAF, NSP reinforces its commitment to safety, education, and collaboration, while ensuring its members—and the broader skiing and snowboarding community—benefit from world-class avalanche training and resources.

Through the NAF, National Ski Patrol is proud to support the National Avalanche School (NAS) as the new title sponsor. The NAS offers comprehensive professional avalanche training specifically designed for ski area operations and gives patrollers an unprecedented opportunity to interact with many of the industry’s leading experts. 

The primary mission of NSP is to promote mountain safety, and avalanches are one of the most dangerous threats in snow environments. Supporting the National Avalanche School helps to cultivate a higher level of expertise within NSP (pro and volunteers), enabling patrollers to be better prepared to handle avalanche risks. This commitment directly aligns with NSP's core mission of providing leadership in safety and rescue operations.

Visit their site to learn more here.

 
We are thrilled to partner with Mammut to offer scholarships covering registration, travel, and accommodation for the National Avalanche School's upcoming professional training seminar — October 12-16 in South Jordan, Utah. 

 

The National Avalanche School offers the most comprehensive professional avalanche training specifically designed for ski area operations. Graduates earn the Pro 1-NAS designation, which exceeds A3's basic Pro 1 requirements, ensuring top-tier avalanche safety training. Students develop lifelong professional relationships and return to their home ski area with valuable skills, knowledge and information to share with others.  

 Empowering the Next Generation of Avalanche Professionals: Learn more about the 2025 NAS Scholarship Recipients.

American Avalanche Association 

The American Avalanche Association (A3) is dedicated to professional excellence in avalanche safety, education and research in the United States. Growing demand increases existing pressure on the inherently dangerous avalanche industry. The inclusion of National Ski Patrol (NSP) in the American Avalanche Association (A3) standards is crucial for several reasons related to safety, consistency, and collaboration within the avalanche education community. 

By aligning with A3 standards as a recreation provider, NSP ensures that its avalanche education programs meet nationally recognized criteria. This standardization promotes consistency in the knowledge and skills taught to avalanche professionals and recreationalists alike. By adhering to A3 standards, NSP contributes to higher safety benchmarks in avalanche education and rescue operations. Being an A3 recreation provider helps us foster better collaboration between NSP and other entities involved in avalanche safety, such as ski resorts, educational institutions, and government agencies. 

View A3's site for more information.

Avalanche Awareness 

Our avalanche awareness programs provide foundational knowledge for anyone venturing into snowy backcountry environments. Participants learn to assess terrain, identify warning signs, use essential equipment like avalanche beacons, probes, and shovels, and apply rescue techniques when time is critical. Through hands-on training and expert instruction, NSP helps individuals make informed decisions that can save lives. 

Check with your local patrol for upcoming public Avalanche Awareness programs. NSP also offers Avy 1, Avy2 and Companion Rescue courses to members. If you are a member and are interested in more information and avalanche resources please visit the Professional Division Webpage.