Avalanche Education & Risk Management Course
PPG AIARE 1
AIARE 1 is a 24-hour course focusing on avalanche hazard management by using the AIARE Decision Making Framework.
Contacts
- Mon, Jan 5, 2026 - Sun, Jan 11, 2026
- Committee: Pikes Peak
- Members: $445.00
- Availability: 18 (18 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
PPG - AIARE 1
A 3 day course designed to give you a proven approach in planning, executing and reviewing your backcountry ski, snowshoe, mountaineering and other snow adventures involving travel 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 tremendous benefit to you.
Our AIARE Program Leader is Kristen Buckland
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| PPG AIARE 1 Field Day | |||
| Monarch Pass |
Sat–Sun, Jan 10–11, 2026
Registration opens Sep 26
|
19
participants
|
|
Clothing: 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 also 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 - Must have Beacon, Probe and Shovel. If you do not have the gear, it will be loaned from the Pikes Peak Group's gear inventory.
You must register for this course to see course materials.