Alaska Avalanche School

Attention hikers and mountain racers! Avalanche season is not over.

Our hearts are broken with the passing of one of our instructors, Dylan Lenzie.

Dylan was a gifted educator and a deeply valued member of our community. Those who had the privilege of working alongside him all shared the same sentiment—he was passionate about teaching and generous in sharing his knowledge, time, and love of the outdoors. He brought patience, kindness, and a steady presence to every course, always willing to go the extra mile to support his students and fellow instructors.

During his time with AAS, Dylan traveled across the state, often to remote and hard-to-reach places, connecting with a wide range of snow users. One Level 1 student described him best: “I felt safe with him—someone I could trust after just a handshake. Someone humble... What a great guy.”

Dylan was a bright light with a promising career ahead. He had recently completed his Pro 2 Avalanche certification and was recognized in the American Avalanche Association’s 2026 Pro Training Scholarship Spotlight. He was a Pro Observer for the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center and during the spring, Dylan would shift gears to work as a heli ski guide. 

On April 29th, Dylan was caught in an avalanche while guiding in the field. He was quickly transported to the hospital in Palmer, AK where he received care for two days. On May 2nd, Dylan passed away, surrounded by family and loved ones.

Dylan’s presence will be deeply missed. He leaves behind a legacy of generosity, and adventure. His impact on our students, our instructors, and our community will be felt for many years to come.

AAS would like to thank NOLS Alaska, Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center, Chugach Avalanche Center, and Crown Mountain Guides for all their support to the family, friends, and community during this difficult time.

When we say our mission is to educate all mountain users, we mean it. This last weekend, our instructors traveled a 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle to train the environmental team at Red Dog Mine.
Looking for a custom avalanche course? We’ll tailor the course to fit your teams needs and hit your goals. Get in touch with us today to start planing your training for next season. Link in the bio.

📸G.Predeger &

Heads up while you get out this spring! Remember, avalanche conditions affect all mountain users, just not skiers and snowmachiners.
Stay safe out there.

1 space has opened in this weekend's Hatcher Pass Level 1!
Take advantage of this great opportunity and register right away. This is the last available Level 1 space on the season.

https://alaskaavalanche.org/events/recreational-level-1-hatcher-march-20-22-2026/

Who's ready to Rally?!
Join us Sunday, March 29th at for our annual Arctic Valley Rally Ski Mountaineering Race.
There will be two course lengths to choose from and categories for men, women, and youth.
Register early through the link in the bio and save $20 on your entry fee!

Last chance for a Level 1 this season! ❄️

Our final Turnagain Pass course is happening this coming weekend, and there are only a couple of spots left. If you’ve been thinking about taking your Level 1, now is the time.

The March 20–22 Hatcher Pass course is already full, so this is your last opportunity to get in before the season wraps up.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity—sign up today!


📸 .nixon

Some highlights from last weekend’s Glacier Travel Clinic in Palmer, AK! ❄️🏔️

We have just one final clinic left this season. Spots are limited, so don’t wait to register.

What: 1-Day Glacier Travel Clinic
Where: Palmer, AK
When: March 28th
Who: Outdoor enthusiasts looking to enhance their safety and rescue capabilities with an introduction to glacier travel and rescue principles.

Come sharpen your skills, expand your knowledge, and head into spring prepared.

What a weekend in the Southeast!
On Sunday, our Juneau Level 2 students wrapped up an intense 4 days of learning, in sun and powder none the less! Shout out to these amazing students for continuing their education, helping prepare them to travel and lead in our snowy mountains.
While our last Southeast course wraps up today (Sitka Level 1), we still have availability in our Southcentral February and March courses. Take advantage of sunny spring days and check out our remaining schedule though the link in our bio.
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