PPG - AIARE 1 - 2023

Avalanche Education & Risk Management Course

PPG AIARE 1

AIARE 1 is a 24-hour course focusing on learning and practicing the AIARE Decision Making Framework. It also introduces Avalanche Rescue.

CMC-PIKES PEAK AIARE 1, Session 1

DATES: JANUARY 23 & 25th, 6:00pm-9:00pm for Lectures; January 28th, field day - Monarch Pass; January 29th, field day - Hoosier Pass.

This will be the only course based in Colorado Springs for the winter season.

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.govmountain-forecast.com the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, (CAIC), SnotelGAIACaltopo -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.

Modes of travel accepted are backcountry skis with skins, splitboard with skins, or snowshoes.

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.  

Consider overnighting in either Buena Vista or Fairplay for the field days. Get more rest and save drive time!

Badges you will earn:

Course Requirements

This course has no scheduled activities.

Roster
Required Equipment

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 - Avalanche beacons, probes, and shovels will be provided for student use during this course.

Course Materials

You must register for this course to see course materials.