Avalanche Safety Training

Head Instructor

About Our Courses

MOUNTAIN SKILLZ offers 3 different avalanche safety courses specifically catering to motorized users (snowmobilers and snowbikers).

Each of these courses is designed to relate to your riding and help you make educated decisions on the snow. Matt Entz is a professional member with the American Avalanche Association (AAA) and a certified motorized Level 1 course provider through the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE). Mountain Skillz has been offering motorized avalanche education since 2012.

Level 1 Course

Level 1 Course

This three-day course is taught based on the AIARE motorized curriculum. You will gain extensive and in-depth knowledge through terminology, professional resources, case studies, instruction, practice, and applying the knowledge to a full day of riding.

Level 2 Course

Level 2 Course

$850

Info coming soon

Rescue Course

Rescue Course

$300

Motorized Avalanche Safety Course Pricing

Sign Up For Course

Motorized Avalanche Safety Course Dates

Level 1

Refresher New

Level 2

Rescue

Special Events

Couples Clinic

With Jen McPherson

1 Day Backcountry First Aid

Cancellation Policy

We prefer not to cancel any trips, but realize that life happens. Please contact Matt to try and reschedule. All deposits are non-refundable and there are NO cancellations within 7 days of scheduled trip. Prior to 7 days from scheduled trip the cancellation fee is 25% or payment can be used to reschedule for any available dates within 2020-2021 operating season.

Need a place to stay?

Need Snowmobile?

Contact Us

Mountain Skillz is an equal opportunity service provider operating under a Special Use Permit throughout the Divide Ranger District of the Rio Grande National Forest.

Links

© 2023 Matt Entz, LLC DBA Mountain Skillz, South Fork, CO

Site By: CandyHourWeb

Meet Matt Entz

Matt has been on snowmobiles for 25 years. Growing up in southern Colorado provided the opportunity to ride and learn in some of the best mountain snowmobiling and conditions in the western United States. Matt’s grandpa and uncle owned and operated a snowmobile dealership in their local area in the 70’s so you can say snowmobiling runs in the blood of the Entz family.

Matt’s dad introduced him to riding at a very young age and continued to take him riding over the years helping him learn how to work on sleds, ride, and understand being in the mountains. “I’ve always loved spending time in the mountains as well as everything snowmobile related. I have to thank my dad for starting me down this road!”

Buying his first sled in 2001, Matt began riding every chance he had. “I started riding with a great group of locals every weekend throughout the winter. All I could think about during the week was our next ride.” Along the way, opportunities to ride with pro riders came up and Matt knew that is what he wanted to pursue. Chris Burandt, Chris Brown, Dan Gardiner, Jay Quinlan, and Dan Adams were the initial influencial riders Matt looked up to and based his riding style off of. Of course there have been many more along the way with the rise of exposure for freeride mountain snowmobiling.

As snowmobiles and riding styles have progressed, so has the importance of safety and education. “We have capabilities to ride such awesome terrain. I feel it is extremely important for everyone that wants to ride these areas to understand the dangers and be educated and prepared for all situations.” Since 20__, he has been riding professionally representing numerous aftermarket companies and starring in the BOONDOCKERS snowmobiling movie series. Matt also rides with THE CREW. His riding style can best be grouped together and described as ‘technical boondocking’. While best known for riding tight technical tree lines and droping big cliffs, Matt’s true passion in snowmobiling is sharing his SKILLZ and educating other enthusiasts. “Snowmobiling is very unique in that there are so many aspects to enjoy the sport. The opportunity to help and teach others to safely enjoy mountain riding is a blessing and dream come true!”

Matt Entz is a professional member with the American Avalanche Association (AAA) and a certified motorized Level 1 course provider through the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE).

Family is a very important priority in Matt’s life. “My wife Jesse and our daughters Elly and Ashley have brought a different joy and happiness that I never could have imagined. Jesse has always been very supportive and instrumental in me setting and achieving goals. It’s an honor to have her as a business partner as well. Elly and Ashley will be pitching in on the family business in a few years!”