Mountain Evacuation & Rescue

Meet at Sun Valley Guides Headquarters

401 Lewis Street, Ketchum, ID 83340

Time

9:00AM-5:00PM

Session

Full Day

Description

This course is designed to prepare outdoor adventurers with the basic skills to treat a victim in the field, familiarizing you with techniques to assess, stabilize and evacuate patients to a higher level of care. Our goal is to share the knowledge of experienced guides and medical professionals who will help you become competent backcountry partners, equipped to lend some help when it’s needed most. In the winter, this course is designed to be an extension of the Avalanche Rescue class, but can be taken as a stand alone for anyone looking to become more proficient at packaging patients and transport them expeditiously from the field before darkness and cold temperatures lead to a more serious situation.

DATES

JANUARY 26, 2025

Prerequisites

Backcountry touring experience, intermediate ability, and an understanding of basic Avalanche Awareness.

What Is Provided

  • AMGA-certified and/or trained guide

  • Guides will be carrying a first aid kit, navigation equipment, skin wax/scraper, inReach satellite device, repair kit, bivy/rescue sled and survival supplies

PRICING

$250/PERSON

*Guest to Guide ratio is 6:1 | Min. 5 | Max. 12

**Sales Tax and Forest Service fees not included

Equipment List
Gear Rental

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Sun Valley Guides does not provide personal safety gear for avalanche course participants, so please come prepared with the necessary and reliable equipment. This includes a 3-antenna avalanche transceiver, a metal avalanche shovel, and an avalanche probe with a click-lock mechanism.

    For more details, please see our equipment list.

  • Safety is our top priority! All of our guides are licensed by the IOGLB and are highly-trained avalanche professionals and/or AMGA trained or certified. Our guides have an intimate knowledge of the vast mountains surrounding Sun Valley as well as the current snow and avalanche conditions.

    AMGA stands for American Mountain Guides Association, an internationally recognized organization that offers rigorous training courses for guides in the alpine, rock, and ski mountaineering industry. Guides endorsed by AMGA are verified to operate at a high level of professionalism and with a deep knowledge of their sport. Learn more about AMGA here.

    An IFMGA guide is a mountain guide who has achieved the highest level of certification in the world. The IFMGA (International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations) sets rigorous global standards for guiding in skiing, climbing, and mountaineering. When you’re with an IFMGA guide, you can trust you’re in the hands of one of the most highly trained and experienced professionals in the industry.

  • Yes. Sun Valley Guides is committed to providing safe and enjoyable adventures in the backcountry. All guests must read and sign a Release of Liability and Waiver of Claims Agreement prior to embarking on any guided trip. Be sure to read and sign the waiver prior to joining us in the mountains.  You can find your waiver in your reservation confirmation.  If you did not make the reservation, please ask whoever did to invite you to sign through their reservation confirmation email they received or email us at info@svguides.com 

  • A 50% non-refundable deposit is made to secure a spot on an avalanche course. Cancellations made with more than 2 weeks notice will receive a refund for the cost of the course, less the deposit fee. Cancellations made within 2 weeks of class start date are 100% non-refundable, but if a replacement for your spot can be found, we will transfer your deposit as credit for another course later in the same winter season with a $50 booking fee.

    Please keep in mind that these policies vary by service. See our full cancellation policy for details.

Have more questions? Visit our FAQ page.