Frequently Asked Questions

• What ability of skier or rider do I need to be to take a Level One Avalanche Course?

Participants should have the ability to ski or ride safely and in control through a variety of snow conditions, on a moderately pitched slope. They also should be comfortable hiking uphill all day at a steady pace.

• Can I use snowshoes or hike instead of using a spiltboard or skis?

We recommend skis or a splitboards for our courses. Especially on the descents it can be hard for hikers / snowshoes to keep up with skis or snowboards on the way down.

• What equipment do I need for the course?

View our required gear list here.

• I need to rent some gear. What are the most convenient shops?

We recommend visiting White Mountain Ski Company in Jackson, NH for our Mt. Washington based courses. In Vermont for our Smugglers Notch courses Outdoor Gear Exchange and Mountain Ops are great options.

• What are the best accommodations for the two course locations?

For the Mt. Washington Courses we are excited to offer our students a 15% discount when they book directly with the Wanderwell House located in Intervale, NH. The Inn has 1, 2 & 3 bedroom units available and is conveniently located only 19 minutes away from the trailhead we use at Pinkham Notch. Students can use code “ECAE15” to apply the discount at checkout.

In terms of the Smugglers Notch courses anything in the Jeffersonville or Cambridge area is convenient. We start our courses from the Smugglers Notch Resort side of route 108 not the Stowe side. Route 108 is closed in winter and if you stay on the Stowe side you will need to drive around or ski over the pass. (~45min)