Avalanche

The very best slopes for skiing and riding happen to be the very best slopes for avalanches.  If we insist on traveling in the mountains, then we need tools and techniques for determining what hazard actually exists, picking the best terrain to address that hazard, and be able to rescue our friends if the worst happens.  The statistics support this - most skiers trigger the avalanche they're caught in, and almost all survivors are rescued immediately by the people they're traveling with.  I strongly encourage everyone to take an Intro to Backcountry Skiing (or have equivalent experience) then take an Avalanche Level 1 course.

Non-avalanche courses are listed on the ski page.

Scheduled AIARE courses with Pro Guiding Service
Private courses are also available for groups - minimum of 4, maximum of 12.

Introduction to Avalanche Awareness and Companion Rescue
This one-day course is aimed for skiers and riders who are still new to the backcountry and touring with more experienced groups, but don't have the time for a full Avalanche Level 1 Course.  In a short indoor session you'll learn how to identify avalanche terrain, how to apply the local avalanche forecast, the value and use of trip plans, and "red flag" field observations that may stop your tour.  An outdoor session introduces avalanche rescue skills and gives you time to develop proficiency with an avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel.  This course can be divided up so that the indoor portion happens in the evenings and closer to Seattle.
Private or Group Courses are available - please contact me for group rates.

AIARE 1 & 2 Refresher Courses
While its not required, I recommend that everyone refreshes their avalanche awareness education and skills as often as they would their CPR and First Aid training.  Consider taking a refresher every other year to review avalanche hazard management,  analyzing snow stability, and companion rescue skills.  I suggest one-and-a-half days  for Level 1 refreshers, or two days for Level 2.
Courses at 1:1 to 6:1 ratios are available.