Avalanche Education Course
AIARE Level 1
The Club's AIARE Level 1 hybrid course combines on-line pre-course work, 1 day of zoom lectures and 2 field days. The course focuses on teaching the AIARE Decision Making Framework in a risky environment: avalanche terrain. You'll acquire knowledge and tools that will help you better prepare for your awesome backcountry trips that may involve avalanche terrain. CMC has been an AIARE course provider since 2011 and hundreds of our members have gone through this course. Love snow, the mountains and willing to learn? AIARE 1 is for you.
Contacts
- Fri, Feb 27, 2026 - Sun, Mar 1, 2026
- Committee: Northern Colorado
- Members: $595.00
- Availability: 8 (12 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
NoCo CMC AIARE Level 1 - 2026
A 3 day course designed to give you a proven approach in planning, executing and evaluating your backcountry ski, snowshoe, mountaineering and other snow adventures involving avalanche terrain. You will learn about, and practice the AIARE Decision Making Process in managing your risk in avalanche terrain.
Topics include building trip catalogs, tracking the season, observing and understanding the changes in the snowpack, recognizing avalanche terrain and travel options, improving your situational awareness while in the field, and evaluating the day's decisions when finished. Tools and resources such as noaa.gov, mountain-forecast.com the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, (CAIC), Snotel, GAIA, Caltopo - the list is long - will become part of your toolbox as you plan and execute your trips. If you are a BC skier, a winter and snow mountaineer, snowshoer, cross-country tourer traveling in avalanche terrain, this course will be a benefit to you.
Our AIARE Program Leader is Karin Pocock, a 20+ year snow industry professional, and an exceptional educator and AIARE Program Leader. Check her out at skylinebackcountryguides.com
All participants will receive an AIARE Certificate of Completion, the AIARE Field Book and student manual.
Successful completion of this course is a pre-requisite for the AIARE Level 2 course.
Club Membership is required to participate in this course. If you are not currently a member, please sign up for membership prior to registering with this course. Benefits of club membership include gear and event discounts as well as access to more classes, trips and events that enhance your experience of backcountry and mountaineering adventures.
Badges you will earn:
AIARE 1 Course
| Course Activity | Date | Availability | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIARE 1 Lecture | |||
| CMC Zoom Lecture |
Fri, Feb 27, 2026
Registration closes Feb 20
|
4
participants on waitlist
|
|
| AIARE 1 Field Day | |||
| RMNP - Bear Lake TH |
Sat, Feb 28, 2026
Registration closes Feb 20
|
4
participants on waitlist
|
|
| RMNP - Bear Lake TH |
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Registration closes Feb 20
|
4
participants on waitlist
|
|
Clothing: Bundle up folks. Field days will commence even during cold and snowy weather. In Colorado that means layers and back-ups. Hand and toe warmers. Extra gloves are a good idea.
Helmet for skiers and splitboarders
Ski goggles and sunglasses.
Mode of Travel: AT Skis, Tele skis, split boards, snowshoes.
Food for the day, consider hot drink, water, energy snacks.
Sunblock, personal med kit, your normal repair kit suitable for your gear
Think 10 essentials to keep you alive in the cold Colorado winter. We'll cover it and questions in the zoom lectures.
Avalanche Gear - Northern Colorado CMC does not have the required Beacon/Probe/Shovel kits for loan to those students who do not possess personal items. If you do not presently own the gear, consider renting from CSU Outdoor Center or Rocky Mountain Adventures.
You must register for this course to see course materials.