Build confidence and understanding of avalanche hazard with the Avy Pass. Available in the Starter and Pro Pass versions, the Avy Pass provides a series of courses throughout the season to help you develop the skills you need understand the risks and make sound decisions in the backcountry.
The Avy Pass provides a series of courses throughout the season to help you progress in your understanding of avalanche hazard and decision making in the backcountry. Whether you're just starting out in the backcountry or trying to build your skills and become a leader in your ski touring group, these programs provide comprehensive development for all of your backcountry skills.
Once you buy your pass, you'll receive codes to book whichever dates you'd like for the included programs throughout the season! Sign up for the dates that work for you. When you know the program you want, sign up! The variations provide all of the essential programs you need to have an awesome season of guided skiing, and at a discounted rate!
Buy the pass, then pick the dates you want! Programs within the pass are subject to availability, so book early to secure the dates you want.
Avy Starter Pass
The perfect pass to begin your backcountry skiing progression. You'll start with an Intro to Backcountry, learning all the gear and efficiency techniques for travel in the backcountry and be introduced to new terrain. Next you'll cover avalanche safety with our acclaimed AIARE 1 program and our innovative, lift-accessed AIARE Rescue Course. And to cap it all off, you finish with a purely Type 1 Fun tour with our expert, AMGA trained guides.
Starter Pass Includes:
- Intro to Backcountry
- AIARE 1*
- AIARE Rescue*
- Tahoe Tour
* Or Choose AIARE 1 + Rescue if you'd prefer the combined program to an AIARE 1 and separate AIARE Rescue.
Individual Price: $1365 Avy Starter Pass: $1149!
AvyPro Pass
Got your AIARE 1 but looking for more? The AvyPro Pass helps you step up your game with in depth understanding of avalanche rescue and decision making. Picking up where the AIARE 1 left off, you'll dive into avalanche rescue with our Lift Access Avalanche Rescue Course and AIARE 2 programs. After building your skills on these programs you'll finish the season with an Avalanche Skills Tour where you'll plan and execute a tour, from start to finish, with one of our AMGA trained guides to help you make sound decisions along the way.AvyPro Pass Includes:
- AIARE Avalanche Rescue, Lift Accessed
- AIARE 2
- Avalanche Skills Tour
Individual Price: $1095 AvyPro Pass: $995!
**Please note, Season Pass Packages can only be used for programs during the current season. Unused credits cannot be applied to programs in future seasons.
Dates
Available Dates
Prices
$1,049 per person
$935 per person
Itinerary
This is your season pass to the Lake Tahoe backcountry! With a variety of pass options available, there is something for everyone in this "season pass" package.
The Tahoe Backcountry Pass provides a number of our programs bundled together for a big discount. Pick a pass option that provides the programs you want. Whether you're focused on starting your backcountry progression or just having a great season of guided tours in the Lake Tahoe Backcountry, these passes make the backcountry fun and accessible.
Once you buy your pass, you'll receive codes to book whichever dates you'd like for the included programs throughout the season! Sign up for the dates that work for you. You're free to book whenever you want. schedule. When you know the program you want, sign up! The variations provide all of the essential programs you need to have an awesome season of guided skiing, and at a discounted rate!
Buy the pass, then pick the dates you want! Programs within the pass are subject to availability, so book early to secure the dates you want.
TAHOE STARTER PASS
The perfect pass to begin your backcountry skiing progression. You'll start with an Intro to Backcountry, learning all the gear and efficiency techniques for travel in the backcountry and be introduced to new terrain. Next you'll cover avalanche safety with our acclaimed AIARE 1 program and our innovative, lift-accessed AIARE Rescue Course. And to cap it all off, you finish with a purely Type 1 Fun tour with our expert, AMGA trained guides.
Pass Includes:
- Intro to Backcountry ($199)
- AIARE 1 ($550)*
- AIARE Rescue ($275)*
- Tahoe Tour ($225)
* Or Choose AIARE 1 + Rescue if you'd prefer the combined program to an AIARE 1 and separate AIARE Rescue.
Individual Price: $1249 Tahoe Starter Pass: $1049!
TAHOE ADVENTURE PASS
Includes:
- 2x Tahoe Tour ($450)
- Silver Peak Tour ($225)
- Sugarbowl to Squaw ($225)
Individual Price: $900 Tahoe Fun Pass: $749!
TAHOE AVYPRO PASS
Includes:
- AIARE Avalanche Rescue, Lift Accessed ($275)
- AIARE 2 ($595)
- Mentored Ski Tour ($225)
Individual Price: $1095 Tahoe AvyPro Pass: $925!
Equipment
Gear Guide / Packing List
Backcountry Touring Gear
❏ Alpine Touring Skis or Splitboard - Light to Midweight Setup with “Tech Bindings”
❏ Alpine Touring Boots or Splitboard Compatible Boots; Scarpa F1
❏ Climbing Skins - Mohair Mix is Best; Black Diamond GlideLite Mohair Mix,
❏ Touring Backpack - A Pack with Avalanche Tools Pocket; BD Cirque 35
❏ Ski Poles - Lightweight, Adjustable Poles with Baskets; BD Expedition 3 Poles
❏ Ski Helmet - Lightweight S
Avalanche Gear
RENT a the full Avalanche Gear Kit from Blackbird
❏ Avalanche Beacon - Digital Avalanche Transceiver; Black Diamond Guide Recon BT
❏ Avalanche Shovel - Collapsible, Aluminum Shovel; Backcountry Access BT2 Shovel
❏ Avalanche Probe - Quickdraw Style Probe; Backcountry Access Stealth 300
Head and Neck Layers
❏ Sun Hat - A Baseball Hat; Blackbird Mountain Guides Logo Hat
❏ Sunglasses - Dark Lens Glasses with Side Coverage; Julbo Shield
❏ Goggles - Ski Goggles with a Storm Lens; Julbo Aerospace Reactive
❏ Warm Hat - Lightweight Warm Hat that Fits Under Your Helmet;
❏ Neck Gaiters - Light to Midweight Neck Gaiters; Buff or your favorite Face Masks
***These Are Required as Covid-19 Face Coverings
Upper Body and Hand Layers
❏ Long Sleeve Base Layer - Lightweight, Synthetic/Wool; Patagonia SunHoody
❏ 2 Insulating Top Layers - Light to Midweight Insulation Layers; Patagonia R1 & Nano Air
❏ Puffy - Midweight Down or Synthetic with Hood; Patagonia Fitzroy or similar
❏ Hardshell Jacket, Hooded - Waterproof, Gore-Tex, NOT insulated; Arc’Teryx Alpha FL
❏ Light Gloves - Light to Mid Weight for Warm Temps; Flylow John Henry Gloves, BD Tour
❏ Midweight Gloves - Mid to Heavy Weight for Cold Conditions; BD Legend
❏ Sports Bra - Wool/Synthetic;
Lower Body and Foot Layers
❏ Socks - Midweight Wool/Synthetic; Darn Tough Via Ferrata
❏ Underwear - Wool/Synthetic
❏ Long Underwear - Wool/Synthetic “Long Johns”; Patagonia Capilene Air
❏ Softshell Ski Pants - Breathable, Weather Resistant for Fair Weather; OR Trailbreaker II
❏ Vented Hardshell Ski Pants - Waterproof Pants for Extreme Weather; Flylow Compound
Food and Water
❏ Nalgene Water Bottle - Hard Sided Bottle; Nalgene 16oz-32oz Wide Mouth Bottle
❏ Soft Water Bottle 1.5L - Flexible Water Bladder; Hydrapak Flux 1.5L
***Please bring at least one hard sided water bottle.
❏ Snacks - Enough Snacks for the Day. There will be no lunch break so snacks must be
convenient and easy to eat.
Other Essentials
❏ Sun Screen (SPF 30 minimum)
❏ Lip Balm (with SPF)
❏ Hand Sanitizer
❏ Toilet Paper
Optional
❏ First Aid/blister Kit
❏ Chemical Hand Warmers
❏ Hydration System - Flexible Water Bladder with Hose; Hydrapak, Camelback, Platypus
Group Gear
Blackbird Mountain Guides will supply all of the group gear for the trip, including:
✓ Guide’s First Aid Kits
✓ Wag Bags (Solid Human Waste Disposal Bags)
✓ Snow Observation Equipment (Snowsaws, Loops, Crystal Cards, Etc)