Motorized Avalanche Classes

Overview of Motorized Avalanche Classes

For Winter 2024, SAC plans to offer Intro, Level 1, Rescue, and Level 2 avalanche classes for motorized users. New this season are the "Intro" ride days for those not ready for a Level 1, or for returning Level 1 participants looking for a single-day refresher.

SAC's motorized 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.

All SAC classes follow the guidelines established by the American Avalanche Association, so they are recognized throughout the U.S. and are compatible with classes offered by other educational providers. SAC classes are free to the public but require advanced registration. Classes fill very quickly, so please read all the following information carefully and be prepared to register on the date and time specified for each class. No spaces can be reserved prior to registration. There is a maximum enrollment of the following:

Intro: 10 people per class
Level 1: 10 people per class
Rescue: 12 people per class
Level 2: 8 people per class

Participants must be 18 or older, or 16-17 with a parent or guardian also registered. To register, please download and complete the participant agreement and participant info documents in advance. Once registration opens, a link will appear at the very bottom of this page (if there are no links, there are no open classes). Follow the link to the specific class you're interested in, where you'll be prompted to enter your information and upload your completed documents. Some classes will run midweek, so check your calendar carefully before enrolling.

All classes teach the "Daily Flow" avalanche risk management process, and require participants to complete pre-course reading about it. Please give yourself several hours to complete the pre-course reading, located here. This information is best digested with small bites over the weeks between registration and the class itself. Please don't try to cram it all in the night before your class! After registration, you will be sent additional pre-course work specific to your class type.

Intro Ride Days

These classes are free to the public, funded directly by SAC and not by the CA OHV Commission.

Intro ride days are single days for those not ready for a Level 1, 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. Depending on numerous factors, these classes might not stray far from a groomed or packed trail. Two of the planned Intro days are scheduled to coincide with Lake Tahoe Snowmobilers meetup days, and the other two are on the following days and are women's-specific. Participants must:

Have the ability to ride for a full day, including off trail in low-angled terrain and straight up/down moderate hills.
Bring a functioning beacon, shovel, and probe. 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. Limited loaner gear may be available on Intro days - please contact SAC before registering if you need to borrow a beacon, shovel, or probe.
Wear a DOT or similarly approved helmet and weather-appropriate gear.
Ride a reliable, well maintained snowmobile/snowbike, capable of off-trail travel. Machines must be registered with visible registration markings. Spare belts and repair kits are strongly recommended. Poorly maintained machines and/or machines not intended for off-trail travel may jeopardize the experience of others.
Read the required materials and apply the Daily Flow and Alerts stickers to machines for easy reference while riding.
Bring a radio capable of operating on FRS/GMRS frequencies. A simple speaker/mic is preferable to voice activated systems. Some radios may be available to loan.

Classes run each day from 9am-5pm. Instructors will communicate specific plans prior to and throughout the class. Dates, locations, and registration times are the following:

1/20 location TBD to coincide with the LTS meetup - opens for registration on 12/11 at 8am
1/21 out of South Tahoe (Women's Specific) - opens for registration on 12/11 at 8am
2/17 location TBD to coincide with the LTS meetup - opens for registration on 1/8 at 8am
2/18 out of South Tahoe (Women's Specific) - opens for registration on 1/8 at 8am

Level 1 Classes

Level 1 classes provide an introduction to recreational avalanche risk management for motorized users, by teaching a repeatable process to structure each riding day. This means that all three days include significant riding. Academic topics are covered by the pre-course reading instead of lengthy classroom sessions. These classes are free, thanks to funding from the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission. For details on Level 1 classes, please download the syllabus at the bottom of this page and read it completely. Participants must:

Have the ability to ride off-trail in variable conditions. The majority of a Level 1 will occur off-trail. Participants who struggle to ride off-trail in variable conditions may jeopardize the experience of others - please do not overestimate your riding ability.
Bring a functioning beacon, shovel, and probe. 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 similarly approved helmet and weather-appropriate gear.
Ride a reliable, well maintained snowmobile/snowbike, capable of off-trail travel. Machines must be registered with visible registration markings. Spare belts and repair kits are strongly recommended. Poorly maintained machines and/or machines not intended for off-trail travel may jeopardize the experience of others.
Read the required materials and apply the Daily Flow and Alerts stickers to machines for easy reference while riding.
Bring a radio capable of operating on FRS/GMRS frequencies. A simple speaker/mic is preferable to voice activated systems.

Classes run each day from 9am-5pm. Instructors will communicate specific plans prior to and throughout the class. Level 1 dates, locations, and registration times are the following:

1/22-24 out of North Tahoe - opens for registration on 12/11 at 8am
1/26-28 out of North Tahoe - opens for registration on 12/18 at 8am
1/26-28 out of South Tahoe (Women's Specific) - opens for registration on 12/18 at 8am
2/2-4 out of Bear Valley - opens for registration on 12/26 at 8am
2/9-11 out of South Tahoe - opens for registration on 1/2 at 8am
2/16-18 out of South Tahoe - opens for registration on 1/8 at 8am

Motorized Avalanche Rescue

These classes are free to the public, funded directly by SAC and not by the CA OHV Commission.

Rescue classes provide avalanche rescue practice for motorized users, and can be taken every few seasons to refresh. If you've taken an Avalanche Rescue class recently, please allow some time after registration opens before you attempt to register for another class. Because avalanche avoidance skills should be prioritized over avalanche rescue skills, it is strongly recommended - but not required - that only graduates of a Level 1 register for this class (the Level 1 can be motorized or non-motorized). If riding ability prevents participation in a Level 1, the Rescue class (or "Intro" class) may be a good starting point until riding ability improves. For details on Rescue classes, please download the syllabus at the bottom of this page and read it completely. Participants must:

Have the ability to ride off-trail in variable conditions. Riding ability is less important on Rescue classes than on Level 1 and Level 2 classes, but participants still need to be able to ride off-trail in variable conditions.
Bring a functioning beacon, shovel, and probe. 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 similarly approved helmet and weather-appropriate gear.
Ride a reliable, well maintained snowmobile/snowbike, capable of off-trail travel. Machines must be registered with visible registration markings. Spare belts and repair kits are strongly recommended. Poorly maintained machines and/or machines not intended for off-trail travel may jeopardize the experience of others.
Read the required materials and apply the Daily Flow and Alerts stickers to machines for easy reference while riding.
Bring a radio capable of operating on FRS/GMRS frequencies. A simple speaker/mic is preferable to voice activated systems.

Field sessions run from 9am-5pm. Instructors will communicate specific plans prior to and throughout the class. Avalanche Rescue dates, locations, and registration times are the following:

1/4 out of Mt Rose Meadows (AKA Tahoe Meadows) - opens for registration on 11/27 at 8am
1/5 out of Mt Rose Meadows (AKA Tahoe Meadows) - opens for registration on 11/27 at 8am
1/6 out of Mt Rose Meadows (AKA Tahoe Meadows) - opens for registration on 11/27 at 8am
1/7 out of Mt Rose Meadows (AKA Tahoe Meadows) - opens for registration on 11/27 at 8am

Level 2 Classes

These classes present advanced concepts of recreational avalanche risk management for motorized users, while repeating the process taught in Level 1 classes. They are intended for those taking a leadership role in their riding groups or for those riding outside of a forecast area. The academic components build from those taught in the Level 1, primarily through pre-class work. Level 2 classes are free, thanks to funding from the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission. For details on Level 2 classes, please download the syllabus at the bottom of this page and read it completely. Participants must:

Take a Level 1 and Rescue class prior to attending. The Level 1 class should have been taken prior to the 2023/24 season. The Rescue class can be taken just before the Level 2, and 2024 SAC Rescue classes are scheduled with this in mind. Previous classes don't need to be motorized-specific. Check here for regional providers who offer non-motorized classes.
Be an advanced rider - comfortable with extended side-hilling to both sides while making adjustments around obstacles, and able to self-extricate from basic stucks. Most people take several seasons of regular riding to reach this level. Riding ability is much more important on the Level 2 compared to Level 1 and Rescue classes - please do not overestimate your riding ability.
Bring a functioning beacon, shovel, and probe. 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 similarly approved helmet and weather-appropriate gear.
Ride a reliable, well maintained snowmobile/snowbike, capable of off-trail travel. Machines must be registered with visible registration markings. Spare belts and repair kits are strongly recommended. Poorly maintained machines and/or machines not intended for off-trail travel may jeopardize the experience of others.
Read the required materials and apply the Daily Flow and Alerts stickers to machines for easy reference while riding
Bring a radio capable of operating on FRS/GMRS frequencies. A simple speaker/mic is preferable to voice activated systems.

Classes run each day from 9am-5pm. Instructors will communicate specific plans prior to and throughout the class. Level 2 dates, locations, and registration times are the following: