Mountain Sense Courses taught by
Mark Smiley

Although there are many very qualified avalanche educators and professionals having an IFMGA guide teach was next level. Everyone in our class had a solid baseline of education and back country experience but we were all trying to get more comfortable taking that next step into bigger terrain with more confidence. Ian really helped streamline the abundance of information and technology available to help us focus on the key factors he uses for bigger terrain and better skiing. Ian taught the class as an expert mentor by letting us plan, lead, and make decesions while he critiqued and helped navagate more difficult situations.

I previously attended an AIARE Level 1 class and was looking to add to my formal training. I chose MTN Sense over AIARE Level 2 for several reasons: 1) AIARE Level 1 had mostly scared me and had not instilled the confidence to travel in avalanche terrain 2) I could revisit the lessons anytime because of the video tutorial format 3) the field day add-on component gave me the opportunity to practice with the highly competent supervision of an IFMGA guide. MTN Sense offered a more practical teaching and learning method for actually traveling through avalanche terrain. As a result, I have felt much more confident in the backcountry.

I'm a relatively experienced climber and skier, but still found many useful tips and tricks in this course. Crevasse rescue can be an uber complicated subject, but Mark breaks it down into simple, easy-to-understand components. It's easy to pause, rewind, and re-watch the videos as many times as needed. Mark also provides updated content as new gear and refined techniques become available so the content always stays up to date. Highly recommended!

Mark Smiley brings a different approach and humor to this course. In particular, I enjoyed learning about finding the best corn snow! Janelle’s portion about being a better partner is also particularly useful because it provides specific examples of ways to communicate with others. Thanks for the fresh take on this avalanche educational online course!

I am a few years past my Avy 2 class and I completed this program with my spouse/ski partner who is going into a Avy 1 class this winter. We both walked away with new knowledge and stoke for the upcoming season.

Absolutely phenomenal. The wife and I learned a bunch and laughed the whole time doing it.

Thank you for what you do! I climbed and skied Mt. Rainier in a single push with a team of two last spring. We couldn’t have felt comfortable up there in that terrain if my buddy hadn’t bought your crevasse rescue course. We both obsessed over the videos in preparation. Your vids helped us be so much safer and gear efficient.

Mark brings a different approach and humor to this course. In particular, I enjoyed learning about finding the best corn snow! Janelle’s portion about being a better partner is also particularly useful because it provides specific examples of ways to communicate with others. Thanks for the fresh take on avalanche education!

As I venture into more advanced terrain and beginner mountaineering objectives the Tetons, I'm very thankful to have a catalog of videos I can reference at my own pace. The format allows for an entertaining review of good material, with the ability to re-play the specific skills that I need more work on!

Dude...your video tutorials are perfect! All that info is absolutely invaluable. Answers all my questions. THANK YOU!