Avalanche Education

AIARE L1 3 Days · 24 Hours

AIARE Level 1 serves as an introduction to recognizing and managing the Avalanche Hazard through a proven Risk Management/Decision Making Framework. Students will learn how to use a repeatable process to help them manage avalanche risk and exposure while recreating in avalanche terrain. The course consists of one classroom day and two field days. Classroom subjects include snowpack, avalanche problems, best practices in planning and preparation for a trip, recognition of and movement through avalanche terrain, team dynamics and disciplining the human 'element', and a case study to get you thinking the AIARE Way.

The two field days take a deeper dive into what you learned in the classroom. Students examine and test the snowpack. Student teams plan and prepare a day tour. Make observations on the state of avalanche activity. Learn how to use the AIARE field book. Perform a debrief at the end of the day. Another key component of the course is learning what to do if caught in an avalanche, and how to perform an avalanche rescue using an avalanche safety gear kit: transceiver, probe and shovel. You don't leave home without them!

AIARE L2 3 Days · 24 Hours

AIARE Level 2 uses the same Risk Management/ Decision Making Framework used in AIARE L1. Students will have Online assignments, a short Zoom session, and three Field Days. They'll do a deeper dive into snowpack science and weather forecasting. Planning and preparation take on a new dimension as students' tours will involve exposure to avalanche terrain. Students will spend more time in the pit doing multiple snow stress tests.

They will learn how to efficiently connect weather, snowpack and avalanche processes, and learn to ground truth them by identifying how these processes relate to actual field observations and any travel within the avalanche terrain. Students successfully completing this class should feel comfortable leading a small team through avalanche terrain, identifying, and reducing uncertainty about the terrain or conditions throughout their tour.

This course takes place in terrain 30 degrees or less and not connected to steeper slopes. Field Days involve 6–7 hours outside with wind, snow and sub-freezing temperatures possible. Expect to travel 2.5–5 miles per day at elevations of 10,500–12,000 feet. Being acclimatized to this elevation beforehand will make the course much more enjoyable.

Pre-requisites - AIARE L1 & AIARE Avalanche Rescue. Very fit and very skilled in the mode of backcountry travel used for the class. One to two years of traveling near or in avalanche terrain, using the AIARE Risk Management/Decision Making model in planning and executing your trips. The AIARE Field Book must be used as it will be submitted with your application.

AIARE Avalanche Rescue 1 Day · 8 Hours

AIARE Avalanche Rescue gives students the knowledge and skills needed when dealing with an avalanche that entrains them or members of their team. Students learn what to do if caught in an avalanche. Students learn how to perform an avalanche rescue using their avalanche safety gear kit: Transceiver, Probe and Shovel. Ask yourself this question: If your friend(s) was/were buried in an avalanche, do you have the knowledge and skills to perform an Avalanche Rescue? If the answer is no, not really, not sure, maybe, anything but a solid YES!, this is the course to take this winter.

This course takes place in terrain 30 degrees or less and not connected to steeper slopes. Field Days involve 6–7 hours outside with wind, snow and sub-freezing temperatures possible. Expect to travel 1-2 miles per day at elevations of 10,500–12,000 feet. Being acclimatized to this elevation beforehand will make the course much more enjoyable.

Pre-requisites - Winter fit and dialed into personal gear and mode of travel. Be able to travel safely off-trail in un-groomed snow and variable terrain and snow conditions.

Avalanche Aware, a free online avalanche education course available to all members. Developed by American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) in partnership with the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), this interactive e-learning module provides essential avalanche safety training you can complete at your own pace. Whether you’re planning winter hikes, snowshoe outings, or simply want to better understand avalanche risks, this course is designed for everyone.

Avalanche Awareness/Avalanche Terrain Avoidance

AA/ATA is a hybrid course consisting of the Avalanche Awareness on-line module, a classroom session to learn/practice using planning tools, and a field session to see actual conditions. It teaches you where to find information on avalanche conditions and how to avoid avalanche terrain while in the backcountry. This course is required for all leaders who plan to lead trips on snow but are not planning to lead trips into avalanche terrain. It is recommended for any member who plans to travel on snow and wants to avoid avalanche terrain.