Avalanche

The NSP offers two basic avalanche programs.  One is the Avalanche Basic Level I program which is designed to be taught in the avalanche environment. The second is the Avalanche Fundamentals and Rescue (AFR) course and is the same course minus the avalanche conditions. (Note: The AFR course is taught mostly in the spring or fall months during the off season because of the lack of snow.)  Both courses lead to the more advanced Level II course that must be taught in an avalanche environment. The use of digital avalanche beacons has reduced the length of hours required for the basic course completion and can be scheduled for one day instead of two. These courses can also be used as Senior electives.  All of the required text books for the NSP Avalanche courses can be ordered from NSP Winter Catalogue.  The texts are as follows:

“Snow Sense” (Required text for Level I)  
“Staying Alive In Avalanche Terrain”(Required Text for Level II)  
“Avalanche Rescue Fundamentals”(Required Text for Level II)  
“Avalanche Quick Rescue Guide”#511  (Required Text for Level I&II) 

Avalanche Instructors for the Ohio Region:

Dale MihutaLevel II /  IT      PNS
Jay Zedak       Level II / IT       BM/BW  
Kim Garrett     Level II / IT        PNS 
Bev Benzing    Level I              PNS        
Darcy Hanley   Level I               PNS  
John McGoff    Level I              PNS       

Darcy and John are in the process of becoming Level II Instructors.  This is a two year requirement, so this season we should have five Level II instructors in the region.

Over the last few years in addition to teaching and being in support of the Level II courses in Utah, some of our instructors also attended the International Snow Sciences Workshop at Telluride, Colorado and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Ohio Region Staff is some of the best qualified in the NSP, so try to attend one of their classes and learn the skills they have to pass on.

Upcoming  Season Events


This season it is our intention to provide the core course (Avalanche Fundamentals and Rescue) in support of the Level II course in Utah for the Central Division. The instructors from the Ohio Region have worked hard to make this year’s course one of the best ever. Dale Mihuta, the Central Division Advisor, took the time last year to meet new contacts and ski areas to further improve the program. Darcy Hanley has put in many hours securing accommodations and preparing brochures about the course. Information for the Level II course can be found in the 2007 Fall Edition of The Rusty Parka News on page 4. We need to make sure that the region has a good number of students that are qualified to participate by taking the AFR course. The first class offered was Dec 2^nd at PNS with 10 participants.    It is our intent to offer courses at other Ski Areas if you can contact me with a desired date. We need at least 8-10 people showing an interest and we will put together the instructors and materials. (Depending on the number of participants.) Start time: 8:30a.m. until about 5:30p.m. $40.00 covers the cost, which includes the book “Snow Sense”, or $35.00 if you already have the book. It also affords the opportunity for the teaching experience required to become a Level I instructor if any one is interested. It is possible that anyone with sufficient interest may accomplish the AFR course and the Level II course in Utah in one season. To request an avalanche course contact Kim Garrett, Ohio Region Avalanche Advisor (kwgarr@aol.com)

Copyright © 2004-2006 Ohio Region, National Ski Patrol System, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Last updated 11/25/2009