After this mountaineering course:
Go anywhere and reach the summit in style
Apply alpine skills
Reduce stress while preparing
Avoid rookie mistakes that can ruin the experience
Be mentored by a mountain guide (Mark Smiley) that's 'been there done that'
If Yes, Then This Course Will Help:
Gear recommendations to keep your pack light
Ice climbing movement techniques
Expedition planning
Winter survival and camping beta
Systematically organize route info
Forever Access
MTN Sense offers no subscriptions, no time limits, and avalanche certification. Reference this course forever.
Join 1300+ students
This unique course tackles the avalanche problems with real case studies.
Join 1300+ students
Lots of skiers and splitboarders have happily completed this avalanche online training course.
What sets this certification apart
Get educated on your schedule.
Access future updates for free.
Ask direct questions to Mark Smiley throughout.
Safe learning environment. Be bold with your questions.
Avalanche Course Video Curriculum
Start here
User Interface Layout (1:27)
Mountain Terms Defined (6:46) PREVIEW
Climbing Route Ratings (9:50)
Block vs Swinging & More (6:52)
Find A Good Partner (2:43)
Managing Risk (7:42)
Acceptance of Risk
Anchors: - Rock - Ice Snow
Factor Two Falls (4:42)
Rock: 2-Bolt Anchors Hacks (10:40)
Rock: Alpine Rock Anchors (17:02)
Rock: Alpine Anchor Progression (8:55)
Rock: Bail Anchors (5:03)
Rock: Glue In & Mechanical Bolts (14:10)
Ice: V-Thread Anchors (12:54)
Snow: Deadman (6:42)
Snow: Pickets (5:05)
Butt Anchor (1:47)
Anchor Progression Preference Chart
The Lost Art of Pitons
Where To Place Pitons (4:25)
Sizes & Placement (10:42)
Removing Pitons (1:36)'
What If' Situations (6:00)
Ice Climbing Tips & Kicks
5 Rookie Mistakes (9:42)
Best Gear: My Recommendations
My Standard Rack (3:11)
Ropes Ratings Explained (8:22)
Crampons: Steel vs Aluminum (6:37)
Complete Gear List - All 83 itemsBoots (2:04)
Electronics (4:10)
Gear...Top Recs
Uncoil A New Rope...Zero Twists (1:56)
Mt Rainier Packing List
Extreme Camping: The Art of the Bivy
Warmth & Weight Considerations (6:44)
Tents, Pads, & Sleeping Bags (12:41)
Pitching A Strong Tent (5:42)
Water Collection (9:51)
Bivy Meals & Cooking (6:21)
Camp Stoves (3:02)
Fuel Efficient Snow Melting (4:26)
Multi-Week Meal Plan (PDF)
Doc Talk: Identify & Treat Illnesses
Intro: Dr. Christian Dean (0:54)
AMS, HAPE & HACE (7:19)
Frostbite & Blisters (5:56)
Expedition Preparation
A Guide's Guide To Denali Unguided (PDF)
Training For Denali & Other Big Mtns (3:42)
Glacier Sun Protection (2:51)
Skis vs Snowshoes on Denali (4:20)
Bikini Wax Your Butt Crack (1:14)
Risk Management on Denali (2:54)
Training Philosophy (52:20)
Digital Beta Doc - Offline
Offline Beta on Mt Stuart's North Ridge (4:19)
Quick Topo Hack (1:11)
Check the Weather (1:54)
What's Your Rescue Plan? (2:43)
Should We Turn Around? (5:45)
Create a .GPX File for a GPS App (14:57)
Bonus Stoke Films
Conclusion (1:18)
Hummingbird Ridge, Mt Logan, Canada (13:42)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Alpinism vs Mountain climbing?
Alpinism is just a cool way to say that you're climbing a mountain. Alpinist = Mountain Climber. Alpinist draw on many skills to reach the summit. Climbing rock and ice, navigation, reading weather, building anchors, route planning, and more.
How long do I have access to this online avalanche course?
Forever - across any devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.
Can I ask Mark Smiley questions throughout the course?
Yes. Every video has a place where you can write in questions, and Mark will reply personally. We will meet twice a month, the first and third Sunday evenings Feb-April, via video conference. The mountain missions will be a great time to connect and ask questions in real time.
Who is Mark Smiley?
Mark Smiley's passion for adventure has taken him on 30+ expeditions on five continents. He and his wife, Janelle, are the only people that have attempted to climb all 50 Classic Climbs of North America (48 successfully). He was part of a team to set a world record skiing across the entire Alps Mountain Range (1100 miles and 292,000 vertical feet) in a mere 36 days.
His avalanche safety training style is fun, mellow, and easy to understand. As an IFMGA Certified Mountain Guide, Mark Smiley is among the world's elite guides to have reached this status. More important than this certification is his candid style of conveying the best avalanche skills training techniques that will benefit you the most.
Get started now
Who is Mark Smiley?
Mark Smiley's passion for adventure has taken him on 30+ expeditions on five continents. He and his wife, Janelle, are the only people that have attempted to climb all 50 Classic Climbs of North America (48 successfully). He was part of a team to set a world record skiing across the entire Alps Mountain Range (1100 miles and 292,000 vertical feet) in a mere 36 days.
His avalanche safety training style is fun, mellow, and easy to understand. As an IFMGA Certified Mountain Guide, Mark Smiley is among the world's elite guides to have reached this status. More important than this certification is his candid style of conveying the best avalanche skills training techniques that will benefit you the most.
Get started now
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Avalanche Safety
Beyond Level One
Backcountry Skiing
Crevasse Rescue
Backcountry Splitboarding
Smartphone Navigation
Modern Alpinism
Rock Climbing Anchors
Rappelling Techniques
Couple's Tune-Up
Climb Denali
All MTN Sense Courses
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About Mark Smiley
Gear Store
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Crevasse Rescue
Rock Climbing Anchors
Smartphpone Navigation
Backcountry Ski Mountaineering
MTN Sense Backcountry Skier/Rider Certification
Avalanche Safety Course
Mountaineering Mastery
Rappelling Techniques
Couple's Tune-up
Backcountry Splitboard Mountaineering
Beyond Level One
Nine MTN Sense Courses
Login
About Mark Smiley
Courses
Crevasse Rescue
Rock Climbing Anchors
Smartphone Navigation
Backcountry Ski Mountaineering
MTN Sense Backcountry
Skier/Rider Certification
Avalanche Safety Course
Mountaineering Mastery
Rappelling Techniques
Couple’s Tune-Up
Backcountry Splitboard
Beyond Level One
Nine MTN Sense Courses