At a recent avalanche safety course in Tahoe City, Calif., a group of female pro skiers gathered to refresh its skills and knowledge of backcountry safety before the winter comes.

Lel Tone -- a Squaw Valley ski patroller, Alaskan heli ski guide and instructor with the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education -- taught the course.

Avalanche education has changed over the past decade to focus more on teaching people to recognize the human factors that play into the decision-making process along with the snow conditions, terrain and more.

Skier Amie Engerbretson practices using a checklist to walk through the steps of an avalanche rescue.

A checklist helps backcountry skiers and snowboarders make smart decisions as to whether they're heading into safe terrain.

Pro skier Elyse Saugstad, who survived a deadly avalanche last winter, practices using her beacon, shovel and probe in a rescue scenario.

Pro skier Ingrid Backstrom works with instructor Lel Tone to identify the search directions on her avalanche transceiver.

Ingrid Backstrom and Jackie Paaso rehearse the steps of an avalanche rescue.

Sherry McConkey, Michelle Parker and Ingrid Backstrom zone in on a buried signal during a practice rescue.

Amie Engerbretson, Sherry McConkey and Michelle Parker practice using a BCA airbag backpack.