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What Comes After My AIARE 1?

Written by: Pam Derck

One of the most common questions we get from our AIARE 1 students is "what's next?" It's easy to feel like you're hitting a plateau after you have taken the course and get a dozen or so tours under your belt. Maybe you're feeling comfortable with your skills and equipment, but nervous about exploring more consequential terrain in your quest for powder. While there are many ways to go about improving your skills, our top three recommendations are to: 1) take a course, 2) get outside, and 3) keep learning.


Option 1: Take a Course

After AIARE 1, there are a number of courses you can take to keep your avalanche knowledge and skills up-to-date. AIARE Rescue is a one-day stand-alone course that is meant to refresh your companion rescue skills. Instructors will also cover updates in technology and best practices. Our Avalanche Refresher course is more directed towards going over the knowledge you learned in AIARE 1 and building on it after you've gained some more experience in the backcountry. (Note that our Refresher course is not an AIARE-accredited course.)

We also have students who ask us when it is appropriate for them to take AIARE 2. There isn't necessarily a wrong time to take the course, but AIARE 2 is designed for backcountry skiers who have gained some touring experience after taking the AIARE 1 Course. AIARE 2 will help you develop the skills you need to better connect weather, snowpack and avalanche processes, and identify how these processes relate to observations and travel within avalanche terrain. This course is highly recommended for backcountry travelers who want to improve their decision making process in more complex terrain and or areas where avalanche forecasts may be less reliable.

Of course, the other aspect to touring is skills-based and relates to the actual movement on the mountain. We offer three-day ski touring and advanced ski touring courses to help you move efficiently on the mountain. These movement based courses are the foundation that all other backcountry skiing skills (including avalanche courses) are built on and because of that, we cannot overemphasize the importance of these courses.


Option 2: Get Outside

While it is true that there is no replacement for professional instruction, it is equally important to apply your newly acquired skills.

Getting out often, and in varying conditions, is the best way to build your skills and your confidence. We often hear from our guests that they learn the most when conditions are less than ideal. Don't be afraid to challenge yourself-- or to turn around when you may have bitten off more than you can chew. There's no shame in knowing your limits and making incremental pushes. Choose ski tours that are comfortably within your skill set and execute them well, rather than setting off on an adventure that you are hoping to pull off. In the end, ask yourself: Did I make this tour happen or did it happen to me?

If you're nervous to get out on your own, or just don't have a reliable partner, we have a variety of options to get you outside. From day trips in the Snoqualmie and Crystal backcountry to multi-day traverses, you will be in good hands with our AMGA ski guides. Whether you know the other members of your group or not, we emphasize building camaraderie, enjoying time outside in some of the most magical places in Washington, and encouraging growth as outdoor athletes. Our guides can show you some of their secret pow stashes and reinforce your learnings while out in the field.


Option 3: Keep Learning

Here are a few of our other favorite tips to help you get planning for the season.

  • Use a plan to make sure you are not missing any vital information or risk management steps. 
  • Invest in your partners: plan with them, observe with them, debrief with them, train skills with them; grow your trust and your ability to communicate openly and honestly.
  • Debrief every day you spend out in the mountains; in the absence of a formal process, one of the simplest ways to begin a reflective process is to ask, “Where do each of us believe we were most at risk today?” There is no right answer; disagreement and waffling are really valuable. 
  • Become a member of NWAC and take advantage of the educational programs they offer. And be sure to download their Avy app!
  • Day dream: book mark your favorite maps and forecasts, read trip reports, plan your dream trip, and get some guidebooks. There are also an abundance of books to help you get started, including our Washington guidebook and our book on backcountry skiing skills.
  • Read avalanche accident reports, especially ones that took place in places you know.
  • We say this with caution, but social media can be a great source for beta and trip reports. There are backcountry skiing groups for the PNW (including women's-specific groups), and apps like Strava and Peakbagger. However, always be sure to do your own research and make your own risk assessments.
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