$175 (view course syllabus) offered in the Valdez (Thompson Pass & Tiekel) and Greater Anchorage (Hatcher Pass & Western Chugach) areas
CMI is an American Avalanche Association recognized education provider. This course exceeds national guidelines for an Avalanche Rescue courses. An essential mountain and backcountry skills course itself, the course also fulfills a prerequisite for taking Recreation Track Level 2 and Professional Track Avalanche 1 courses. It is a 1-day, field-based course that teaches rescue techniques through demonstration, realistic scenarios, and practice.
Prerequisites: ability to snowshoe, ski, or splitboard in variable snow conditions, fitness to function in potentially inclement mountain weather for a full field day.
Central Chugach (Valdez, Thompson Pass, Tiekel Valley) available dates:
- Thursday, December 11, 2025
- Thursday, January 22, 2026
- Contact CMI with inquiries for private courses
Greater Anchorage Area (Hatcher Pass & Western Chugach) available dates:
- Monday, December 8, 2025
- Thursday, January 15, 2026
- Thursday, February 12, 2026
- Contact CMI with inquiries for private courses
Call/text 907-831-9686 or email Info@ChugachSnow.org for inquiries. To register complete steps 1-6 here: course registration. CMI will email you an invoice after receiving your registration form (delays aren’t unusual – we are often in the field for days without communication during the summer and fall).
Private Avalanche Rescue courses (contact CMI with inquiries and for availability) start at the following rates for dates and locations* of your choosing:
- 1 person: $700
- 2 people: $400 each
- 3 people: $300 each
- 4 people: $250 each
- 5 people: $220 each
- 6 people: $200 each
*courses outside the Central Chugach area (Valdez, Thompson Pass, Tiekel Valley) may require additional fees for instructor travel