Motorized Avalanche Classes

Overview of Motorized Avalanche Classes

For Winter 2025, SAC plans to offer Intro Days, Level 1, Rescue, and Level 2 avalanche classes for motorized users. These classes are for snowmobilers and snowbikers who ride off-trail and may expose themselves to avalanche terrain. Skiers and snowboarders who use snowmobiles for access purposes, but whose exposure to avalanches occurs primarily on skis or a snowboard, should take a class from one of the region's many non-motorized providers.

SAC classes follow the guidelines established by the American Avalanche Association, so they are recognized throughout the U.S. and are compatible with other avalanche classes. All classes teach the "Daily Flow" avalanche risk management process, and require participants to complete pre-course reading about it. This information is best digested with small bites over several days. Please don't try to cram it all in the night before your class! Avalanche Rescue and Level 2 classes also have videos to watch, as described in the syllabi below.

These classes are free to the public from a mix of SAC general funds and CA OHV grant funds, but require advanced registration. See the "participant information" and "participant agreement" forms at the bottom of this page - these will need to be uploaded at 8am on the dates specified. Spaces fill quickly, so please read the following information carefully and be prepared to register! No spaces can be reserved prior to registration, and no waitlists are maintained.

Participants must:

Be 18 or older, or 16-17 with a parent or guardian also registered in the same class.
Bring a functioning beacon, shovel, and probe (some loaner gear is available on Intro Days). Beacons should be modern three-antennae, shovels should be made specifically for avalanche rescue, and probes should be 270cm or longer. Avalanche gear must be worn/carried on self, and not in tunnel bag. An extra shovel in tunnel bag is recommended.
Wear a DOT or SNELL approved helmet and weather-appropriate gear.
Bring a radio capable of operating on FRS/GMRS frequencies. A simple external speaker/mic is preferable to voice activated systems.
Ride a reliable, well maintained snowmobile/snowbike, capable of off-trail travel. Poorly maintained machines and/or machines not intended for off-trail travel may jeopardize the experience of others. A spare belt and basic repair kit are required. Insurance is strongly recommended.
Be able to ride full days, off-trail in variable conditions. Intro days and Avalanche Rescue classes are appropriate for those newer to off-trail riding. Level 1 and 2 classes require more riding experience/skill. For more info on riding ability, please read the descriptions for each class type.
Complete the pre-course reading and watch the videos for Avalanche Rescue and Level 2 classes as described in the syllabi below.

Intro Days

Intro Days are single days for those newer to off-trail riding, or for returning Level 1 participants looking for a single-day refresher (repeating the Level 1 is also encouraged). The same risk management process taught in SAC's other classes will be followed, with an emphasis on identifying avalanche terrain in order to avoid it. Participants should have the ability to ride for a full day, including off-trail in low-angled terrain and straight up/down moderate hills. Some brief side-hilling may be required.

Classes run each day from 9am-5pm. Two of the Intro Days are scheduled to coincide with Lake Tahoe Snowmobilers meetups, and the other two are on the following days and are women's-specific.

Dates, locations, and registration times are the following:

1/18 at Little Truckee Summit, to coincide with the LTS meetup - opens for registration on 12/9 at 8am
1/19 (womens-specific) at Little Truckee Summit - opens for registration on 12/9 at 8am
2/15 at Blue Lakes, to coincide with the LTS meetup - opens for registration on 1/6 at 8am
2/16 (womens-specific) at Blue Lakes - opens for registration on 1/6 at 8am

Level 1

Level 1 classes teach a repeatable risk management process to structure each riding day. Academic topics are covered by the pre-course reading instead of lengthy classroom sessions, so all three days of the class include significant off-trail riding time. Participants should have the ability to ride off-trail in variable snow conditions for three full days. Terrain may be open or treed, with steep ups and downs, and moderate hills and gullies requiring extended side-hilling. Those who struggle with riding ability may jeopardize the experience of others - please do not overestimate your ability, and consider taking an Avalanche Rescue or Intro Day instead.

Classes run each day from 9am-5pm. North Tahoe classes will begin with an indoor session at the Little Truckee Summit trailhead. South Tahoe classes will begin with an indoor session at the South Tahoe Airport, then ride from either Blue Lakes, Tragedy Springs, or Ebbetts Pass (conditions dependent). Level 1 dates, locations, and registration times are the following:

1/21-23 from Little Truckee Summit - opens for registration on 12/9 at 8am
1/24-26 from Little Truckee Summit - opens for registration on 12/16 at 8am
1/24-26 from South Tahoe (Women's Specific) - opens for registration on 12/16 at 8am
1/31-2/2 from South Tahoe - opens for registration on 12/23 at 8am
2/7-9 from South Tahoe - opens for registration on 12/30 at 8am
2/14-16 from South Tahoe - opens for registration on 1/6 at 8am
2/21-23 from Bear Valley - opens for registration on 1/13 at 8am

Avalanche Rescue

Avalanche Rescue classes provide companion rescue practice for motorized users, and can be taken every few seasons to refresh. Because avalanche avoidance skills should be prioritized over rescue skills, it is strongly recommended - but not required - that a Level 1 class is taken before Avalanche Rescue. Participants should have the ability to ride for a full day, including off-trail in low-angled terrain and straight up/down moderate hills. Some brief side-hilling may be required.

Field sessions run from 9am-5pm. Avalanche Rescue dates, locations, and registration times are the following:

1/4 from Blue Lakes - opens for registration on 11/25 at 8am
1/5 from Blue Lakes - opens for registration on 11/25 at 8am
1/11 from Little Truckee Summit - opens for registration on 12/2 at 8am
1/12 from Little Truckee Summit - opens for registration on 12/2 at 8am

Level 2

The Level 2 repeats the avalanche risk management process taught in SAC Level 1 classes, for a more experienced audience. It’s intended for those taking a leadership role in their riding groups, for those riding outside of a forecast area, or for motorized professionals (guides, skills instructors, content creators, avalanche workers, etc). Participants should be advanced riders, comfortable in steep terrain with extended side-hilling. Level 1 and Avalanche Rescue classes are pre-requisites, though don’t need to have been taken from SAC and don’t need to have been motorized.

Class runs each day from 9am-5pm, beginning with an indoor session at the Little Truckee Summit trailhead. For 2025, SAC is offering a single Level 2 class: