Located 8 miles Northeast of Cooke City, the Mt Zimmer Yurt is a 20′ diameter hut located at an elevation of 9500′ next to Companion Lake near the Zimmer Creek Wilderness Boundary. This area is notorious for having copious amounts of POWDER and provides easy access to the heart of the Beartooth Mountains.

During the 3 days, participants will be exposed to techniques and skills required to be a competent backcountry partner. This will include a combination of lectures and field sessions, where students will get hands on experience in learning about snowpack layering, terrain management, weather elements, decision making, and rescue skills.

*Beartooth Powder Guides is an approved American Avalanche Association course provider. All Level 1 courses offer curriculum which exceeds the requirements set forth by the American Avalanche Association.

• Price includes 2 nights lodging. You will be responsible for your own food and cooking.

• Price includes snowmobile shuttle to Mt. Zimmer Yurt.

Course Topics:

• Snowpack Layering and formation

• Snowpack tests and other observations as they relate to the avalanche forecast

• Terrain Identification (avalanche paths, slope shape, aspect, slope angle)

• Terrain management (uphill & downhill travel)

• Mountain Weather Concepts (wind, precipitation, temperatures)

• Snow climates

• Avalanche types and concepts

• Decision making skills

• Interpreting the Avalanche Bulletin (Hazard rating and type)

• Beacon use and rescue training

Cabin Amenities:

• Cooking utensils and cookware

• Bunk beds with memory foam mattresses

• Lighting

• Wood burning stove and firewood

• Board games

• A relaxing atmosphere and amazing views!

• Water is provided by melting snow in our specially designed snow melt tanks on the wood burning stove or by the spring creek a couple hundred feet from the cabin.

Course Syllabus and Itinerary