Montana Avalanche Courses
Professional avalanche education and hands-on training in Cooke City and Red Lodge with Beartooth Mountain Guides.
Our 3-day recreational courses are designed to give current and aspiring skiers, splitboarders, and mountaineers the tools they need to access the backcountry safely. They are formatted with the guidelines set forth by the American Avalanche Association.
Expect in-depth instruction in backcountry travel, terrain management, snowpack assessment, rescue practices, and decision making with field time on all 3 days. Each course is run by two instructors, allowing for a low student to instructor ratio and unique perspectives.
2024/26 COURSES
In Cooke City, Red Lodge & Paradise Valley, MT
Understand
Avalanche bulletins, ski & rescue equipment, and the recipe for an avalanche.
Identify
Obvious avalanche terrain, human factors and their role in decision making, and safe travel routes.
Apply
Risk management tools, in-field decision making, and rescue procedures.
Practice
Snowpack tests, observations, and route finding.
Why take a Recreational Avalanche Level 1 in Montana?
If you plan to explore the mountains of Montana and the Northern Rockies in winter, a Level 1 Avalanche Course is a critical step in becoming a safe and responsible backcountry traveler. These courses teach essential avalanche safety skills, including hazard recognition, terrain assessment, and rescue techniques — tools that could one day save your life or someone else’s.
You'll gain hands-on experience identifying avalanche terrain, interpreting snowpack conditions, and applying decision-making strategies to reduce risk. More than just a classroom experience, our courses take place primarily in the field, giving you real-time exposure to Montana’s rugged and unpredictable winter landscape.
Montana's Cooke City and Red Lodge regions offer world-class terrain — yet remain largely undocumented in guidebooks. Our avalanche courses introduce you to these lesser-known areas while building your confidence and competence in remote settings.
Level 1 Avalanche Courses are also a great way to connect with other like-minded skiers and splitboarders. Many participants leave with new, trusted backcountry partners who share a commitment to safe travel.
Whether you’re new to the backcountry or have years of experience, completing a Level 1 avalanche course in Montana is one of the most important investments you can make in your mountain education.
Why take a Recreational Avalanche Level 2 in Montana?
The Level 2 course is a great way to deepen your avalanche knowledge in a formal education setting. While you already know how to choose low angle lines and read the terrain for terrain traps, in the Level 2 course you get the chance to get into more complex terrain. In our classroom setting you will learn more about snow metamorphism and how to understand the season's snowpack history. Our courses are designed after the American Avalanche Association's Guidelines. We will spend most of the time in the field with two mornings or afternoon in the classroom.
Why choose Beartooth Mountain Guides?
Beartooth Mountain Guides has been providing courses for 20 years. Our Level 1 & 2 is taught by variety of experienced locals, mountain guides, and avalanche professionals.
Reasons to choose BMG:
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3-day courses with field-time every day; we believe in learning by doing
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Direct instruction in town; no pre-recorded lessons and plenty of time for Q&A
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Low group ratios; typically 4:1 ratio, meaning more time with your instructor
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Minimal drive time; all BMG courses have little (< 15 min) to no daily drive time, unlike many courses with 1+hr daily drives
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Affordable price; we aim to keep our courses accessible
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Epic terrain; Between Cooke City's undoubtedly perfect location and Red Lodge's lift access
Cooke City,
Red Lodge or Paradise Valley?
Although both in the Beartooths, Cooke City and Red Lodge are two different venues for your avalanche course. Take a moment to consider which is best for you.
Cooke City
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Regularly deep and consistent snowpack (good skiing!)
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Destination ski town, perfect way to preview terrain
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In-town yurt classroom
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Minimal to no drive time; Skiing/riding from the classroom
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Scenic drive through Yellowstone in the winter
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Fewer accommodation options (book early!)
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3+ hours to Bozeman and Billings
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Early to mid season course offerings
Red Lodge
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Easy access; only 1 hr from Billings & Cody
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In-town class, walking distance to coffee/bakery
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15 minute drive time to field-sessions
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Lift accessed day, tickets included
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Variety of accommodation options
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Variable snowpack; usually reactive to our tests & great for learning
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Mid season (February 18-20)
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Full package
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Lodging included
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Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners included (private chef)
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Proximity from Bozeman (1 & 1/2 hrs) to Tom Miner Basin
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Classroom on site
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Ski right out of your door
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No driving needed on ranch
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Unique access to private land in Paradise Valley
Starts Dec 12
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Starts Dec 19
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Starts Jan 9, 2026
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Starts Feb 14, 2026
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Starts Jan 23, 2026
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