STAGE5 Level 2
Advanced Off-Road Driving & Recovery
Develop complex driving, terrain-assessment, winching, recovery, and emergency-response skills through controlled, scenario-based training.
You’ll continue to Flybook, MERUS’s reservation system. Check live availability, the final total, and the terms shown for your selected course before completing registration.
Information checked Courses, dates, prices, meals, and registration requirements checked against MERUS and Flybook. Live availability and the selected checkout terms are final.
STAGE5 Level 1 is required first
Complete the STAGE5 Intro to Off-Road & Vehicle Recovery course before registering for this Level 2 course.
Who this course is for
- Course level
- Level 2 advanced scenario training
- Prerequisite
- STAGE5 Level 1 completion is required
- Format
- Two days of controlled driving and recovery scenarios
- Arrival
- Arrive by 8:00 a.m. both days; follow the final confirmation schedule
- Participation
- Driver or Right Seat (Passenger)
- Meals
- Five-meal Hospitality Package included
- Passes
- Daily Entry and Daily 4×4 Passes included
Level 1 graduates
Apply the STAGE5 foundation to more complex terrain, recovery systems, and scenario decisions.
Experienced drivers
Practice advanced vehicle dynamics and recovery in a controlled instructional setting after completing Level 1.
Right Seat learners
Observe the advanced scenarios and instruction without completing the driving portion.
What you’ll learn
Difficult terrain
Navigate challenging terrain with and without driver-assistance features while evaluating route and recovery consequences.
Terrain assessment
Analyze different terrain and understand how it changes driving technique, risk, recovery planning, and equipment choices.
Advanced vehicle dynamics
Understand how vehicle behavior changes in complex conditions and how that affects a recovery.
Complex winching
Work with line angles, double-line pulls, snatch blocks, rigging choices, and multi-step recovery scenarios.
Vehicle recovery
Practice scenario-based techniques for rollovers and moving an inoperable vehicle from a trail.
Safety and emergencies
Use recovery equipment, communication, and protocols to manage advanced scenarios deliberately.
Learn, practice, apply
Two-day course format
Arrive by 8:00 a.m. on both days. Follow the registration confirmation for the final daily schedule.
Classroom foundation
Build the mindset, vehicle knowledge, safety framework, and recovery planning needed for the hands-on work.
Controlled practice
Move into guided exercises in a controlled area and on the test track before applying the skills on trails.
Trail application
Use the course techniques during guided, real-world scenarios on the MERUS trail system.
Participation and pricing
Both options include the two-day course, five meals, Daily Entry, and Daily 4×4 Passes. Live availability and checkout terms are final.
Driver
$510per participant registration
Hands-on classroom, controlled exercise, test-track, and trail learning in the registered vehicle.
Right Seat (Passenger)
$297.50per participant registration
A non-certificate learning option with the same instruction and observation, without the driving portion.
Requirements and equipment
Completion of STAGE5 Level 1 before this course.
Every guest must complete a MERUS waiver.
Each participating vehicle must have a working GMRS radio and working fire extinguisher.
Booking asks for an emergency contact and the vehicle make, model, year, tire size, and lift information.
Arrive by 8:00 a.m. on both course days and follow the final schedule and instructions in the registration confirmation.
Meals and onsite stays
Five-Meal Hospitality Package
Included with Driver and Right Seat registrations.
- Day 1
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Day 2
- Breakfast and lunch
Stay onsite if it fits your trip
Onsite cabins, RV sites, and camping are optional and additional. Reserve lodging separately and check the arrival instructions for the selected stay.
Compare cabins, RV sites, and campingRules, waivers, and cancellation
Waiver and safety
Every guest must complete a waiver. Follow current park rules, staff direction, and the requirements in the registration confirmation.
Read park rules and safetyArrival
Arrive by 8:00 a.m. both days and use the final instructions in the registration confirmation.
Get directionsRegistration terms
Review the current cancellation policy and the terms shown with the selected registration before checkout.
Read the cancellation policyUpcoming dates
Choose a session to see live Driver and Right Seat availability in Flybook.
Check live availability
Advanced Course
–
STAGE5 Level 1 is required before this course. Use Flybook to confirm current Driver and Right Seat availability.
Check November Advanced AvailabilityOpens the selected course in Flybook.
Course questions
Is Level 1 required?
Yes. Flybook requires STAGE5 Level 1 before the Advanced course.
Can I take the Advanced course as a Right Seat participant?
Flybook lists both Driver and Passenger/Right Seat registration for the Advanced session. Confirm live availability for the selected date.
Does the course include a place to stay?
No. Onsite cabins, RV sites, and camping are optional and booked separately.
Are park and 4×4 passes included?
Yes. Daily Entry and Daily 4×4 Passes are included with Advanced Driver and Right Seat registrations.
Find Advanced Course dates
Choose a session, then continue to Flybook for live registration.
Course dates, availability, prices, requirements, and terms can change. Verify current information at merusadventure.com/stage5/course-dates/ before traveling.
