Avalanche Safety and/or Backcountry Ski Classes?

It's about time I stopped drooling over the trip reports on this site and learned the ropes to get out there and get some trips of my own to post. Can anyone recommend a class (or sequence of classes) to learn the skills to ski the backcountry safely? While I'm at it, any beacon recommendations?
Thanks,
Brian

Step 1, read these books:
www.mountaineersbooks.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=1390
www.mountaineersbooks.org/productdetails.cfm?SKU=0844

Step 2, take an avy course
www.avtraining-admin.org/courseprov.cfm
avtraining.org/Avalanche-Training-Course...ied-Instructors.html
www.nsp.org/nsp2002/edu_template.asp?mode=course_schedule

Step 3, for additional in-person training, hire a guide and/or see what standing courses guiding companies are offering:
hireaguide.amga.com/skimountaineeringguide

As for beacons, comprehensive overviews and reviews here:
www.beaconreviews.com
www.wildsnow.com/1476/avalanche-beacon-review-intro/

Well i cant help you with the course and stuff but Jon sure did!

As for beacon. Well i got the BCA Tracker 3 years ago i believe (or 2?) and it is sooo easy to use it amazed me. When i got it i literally took it out of the box, had a friend hide his, and i was able to switch to search and find it in all of 3 minutes (granted it was just buried in his room) but the ease of it surprised me. All that with out me having ever used a beacon or read the book.

I've been real happy with it for a great "entry" level beacon and haven't had a problem with it.

Of course you will want to practice with it more than just finding it in a friends room lol. Im sure a lot of beacons are easy to use but i know the tracker has been said to be one of the most user friendly.

Step 1, read these books:
www.mountaineersbooks.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=1390
www.mountaineersbooks.org/productdetails.cfm?SKU=0844

Step 2, take an avy course
www.avtraining-admin.org/courseprov.cfm
avtraining.org/Avalanche-Training-Course...ied-Instructors.html
www.nsp.org/nsp2002/edu_template.asp?mode=course_schedule

Step 3, for additional in-person training, hire a guide and/or see what standing courses guiding companies are offering:
hireaguide.amga.com/skimountaineeringguide

As for beacons, comprehensive overviews and reviews here:
www.beaconreviews.com
www.wildsnow.com/1476/avalanche-beacon-review-intro/

Muchas Gracias. Is there a specific group you'd recommend for the classes?