ENCAMPMENT WINTER ACTIVITIES FIELD GUIDE
Beacon, Probe, Shovel — Digging Into Encampment’s Subsurface Secrets
A focused, hands-on Basic Avalanche Package that teaches use of beacon, probe and shovel in an 8-hour field session—this guide orients you to what to expect and what to bring.
Beacon, Probe, Shovel — Digging Into Encampment’s Subsurface Secrets.
Adventure brief
Beacon, Probe, Shovel — Digging Into Encampment’s Subsurface Secrets
On the snowy slopes around Encampment, Wyoming, the Basic Avalanche Package pares avalanche safety down to the essentials: a beacon, a probe and a shovel. It’s a compact, tactile curriculum that blends curiosity and practical skill—designed to reveal what lies beneath the surface and how to find it.
Encampment, Wyoming sits at the southern edge of winter country and serves as the access point for this hands-on avalanche training. The Basic Avalanche Package is an eight-hour, field-focused course that teaches companion-rescue fundamentals with a beacon, probe, and shovel. Instructors guide students through timed transceiver searches, systematic probe lines and efficient spade technique in terrain that mimics common avalanche problems: wind-loaded slopes, convex rolls and open basins. The course emphasizes repetition over theory so participants build muscle memory in realistic scenarios. Classroom time is concise; the day is devoted to practice: multiple-burial drills, simulated transceiver failures and debris excavation under time pressure. That practical focus is a significant value for Western Wyoming, where storms can quickly change snow structure and where quick, practiced responses matter. A $350 damage deposit is required at check-in, and participants must be 18 or older. This program is ideal for backcountry skiers, splitboarders, snowmobilers and guide teams who want a compact, transferable skill set. Expect active movement across bootpacked approaches and sustained digging; instructors coach efficient body position and energy-saving shovel method so teams can complete realistic scenarios without burning out. Students also learn to read simple stability indicators and identify terrain traps so they can make safer route choices in the field. Practical logistics are straightforward: bring a fully charged avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel if you have them, dress in layers for prolonged exposure and pack high-calorie snacks and water. Rental availability varies so check the referral link before arrival. Fitness expectations are moderate—participants should be comfortable hiking in uneven, snowy terrain and digging vigorously for minutes at a time. Why book this one-day package? It turns uncertain knowledge into a procedural rescue routine you can rely on when minutes count. Delivered in a compact training area just outside Encampment, the course pairs local winter weather patterns, clear rescue priorities and hands-on drills into a single pragmatic day that raises both competence and confidence for anyone heading into Wyoming’s winter backcountry. Booking is handled online via the program referral link; the $350 deposit is collected at check-in, and course participants should plan travel logistics to Encampment, where lodging and winter services are limited. Early-season sessions emphasize technique in variable crusts, while deep-spring classes stress live-burial scenarios—both deliver transferable, field-ready skills for any winter user. Bring patience and practiced teamwork always.
Route Schematic
Itinerary Snapshot
A sequence of briefing and field drills focuses on learning and practicing beacon, probe and shovel techniques.
Briefing & Gear Overview
Introduction to the three essential pieces of equipment and basic principles before heading into the field.
Beacon Search Drills
Practical exercises locating buried transmitters using systematic search patterns.
Probe and Shovel Practice
Pinpointing and excavation drills focused on speed and technique with probe and shovel.
Wrap-up and Review
Conclude with a review of lessons learned and reinforcement of core skills.
This is a basic, hands-on avalanche-safety package emphasizing beacon, probe and shovel skills; participants should expect physical outdoor activity in winter conditions.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Beacon, Probe, Shovel
The course centers on the three tools that matter in a burial search: transceiver (beacon), probe and shovel—practical, hands-on training with the basics of searching and recovering.
Hands-on Search Drills
Expect focused drills that emphasize locating targets quickly and efficiently with a beacon, then pinpointing and excavating with probe and shovel technique.
Curiosity Meets Safety
The package frames avalanche skills as an expedition of discovery—digging into what’s buried beneath the snow while building essential proficiency.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
Over an eight-hour session, participants move from explanation to practice: handling a beacon, executing search patterns, probing to confirm a burial, and using a shovel to excavate. The tempo is hands-on and iterative—short practice runs, adjustments, and repeated drills that build confidence with the core tools.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this package suits — and why.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The Basic Avalanche Package runs approximately 8 hours.
Expect practical work with a beacon, probe and shovel—these are the central tools covered in the session.
The program takes place in Encampment, Wyoming, and is offered by Altitude Sled Works.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Basic Avalanche Package?
The course lasts approximately 8 hours.
What skills and tools does the course teach?
The package centers on use of a beacon (transceiver), probe and shovel and practical search and excavation drills.
Where does the training take place?
The program is held in Encampment, Wyoming, United States.
Who runs the Basic Avalanche Package?
The operator is Altitude Sled Works.
Who is this course for?
It’s described as perfect for thrill-seekers and explorers alike and provides foundational, hands-on avalanche-search skills.
Will I be doing hands-on drills?
Yes—expect practical, hands-on practice with beacon searches, probing and shoveling.
How this guide was prepared
This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.
- Verified: 2026-08-07T13:02:11.834Z
Some booking links may generate revenue for ADV Guides or The Adventure Collective.
Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.
Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.