Skiers and snowboards may take advantage of avalanche education courses at Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows starting Jan. 8.

The one- and three-day courses teach the basics of snow science, how to access and read the avalanche advisory, how to operate standard avalanche equipment (beacon, probe, and shovel), and, most important, how to make good decisions.

The three-day AIAIRE Avalanche Leavel 1 Certification course is Jan. 8-10 for $389, and the one-day avalanche awareness course is Jan. 12 for $149.

Additional courses will be offered at both Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows in February and March.

Full information including additional dates and details is available online.