American Avalanche Association (A3)
Pro 1: Professional Track
The entry course for the professional avalanche-worker track.
- Free reference
- No signup
- Find an operator to get there
Pro 1 is the first course on the professional track for people working in avalanche terrain: guides, ski patrollers, educators, and forecasters. Overseen in the US by the American Avalanche Association (A3), it covers professional observation standards, snowpack tests, and workplace decision-making to industry protocols. It is a different track from the recreational courses, aimed at people responsible for others in the terrain.
For aspiring backcountry guides and patrollers, Pro 1 is the recognized professional starting point and a step toward guide certification.
What you'll learn
- Professional observation and snowpack-test standards
- Workplace decision-making to industry protocols
- The foundation for guide / patrol career paths
Find an operator who teaches Pro 1: Professional Track
Browse ski resorts & guides and connect with the people who can get you to this level.
Common questions
- Is Pro 1 the same as becoming a certified guide?
- No. Pro 1 is avalanche-worker training; full guide certification (e.g. AMGA ski-guide tracks) is a separate, longer pathway that Pro avalanche courses support.
