This 24-hour course is an introduction to managing avalanche hazard. You will learn how to use a repeatable process to manage your risk and learn from your experiences in the backcountry. You will also practice preparing for and carrying out a backcountry trip, keeping track of, communicating, and making decisions about hazards while in the backcountry, and learn rescue techniques if an avalanche occurs and someone is caught. Students should be able to travel off-trail on ungroomed or unmaintained terrain and bring appropriate equipment for traveling on snow, but there are no other prerequisites for this course.
This 3-day course is also offered at Crystal Mountain.
This 24-hour course is an introduction to managing avalanche hazard. You will learn how to use a repeatable process to manage your risk and learn from your experiences in the backcountry. You will also practice preparing for and carrying out a backcountry trip, keeping track of, communicating, and making decisions about hazards while in the backcountry, and learn rescue techniques if an avalanche occurs and someone is caught.
Why Take Your AIARE 1 with Us?
Our guides have some of the highest quality training and certification in the industry, and you can be sure that we have the permits, licenses and insurance in every location we operate. Our instructors have completed an AIARE Instructor Training Course and are members of the American Avalanche Association, and many of them are AMGA-certified guides, Wilderness First Responders, EMTs, and/or Leave No Trace educators. You always get a safe, high-quality trip or learning environment with us. You will travel and learn from experts. We've pioneered several alpine climbing routes, ski descents, and traverses and we've written books on backcountry skills and routes.
Who Should Take this Course?
The AIARE 1 is for anyone, regardless of their method of backcountry travel, who wants to recreate in or near avalanche terrain. You should be able to travel off-trail on ungroomed or unmaintained terrain and bring appropriate equipment for traveling on snow, but there are no other prerequisites for this course
The AIARE 1 is a prerequisite for the AIARE 2, as well as the Pro 1 course for aspiring avalanche professionals.
What You’ll Learn
During an AIARE 1 course, you’ll spend time learning these skills, both in a classroom setting and in the field:
Course Times/Dates (please note the order of classroom and field days could change due to weather and conditions, particularly with full day classroom schedules, be available to potentially go into the field on a scheduled classroom day)
Dec 17-19 Fri-Sun: Fri Classroom; Sat/Sun Field Days
Dec 21-23 Tue-Th: Tuesday Classroom; Wed/Th Field Days
Dec 27-30 Mon/Tue/Wed/Th: Mon/Tue eve Classroom; Wed/Th Field Days
Jan 2-4 Sun-Tue: Sunday Classroom; Mon/Tue Field Days
Jan 4-9 Tue/Th/Sat/Sun: Tue/Th Evening Classroom; Sat/Sun Field Days
Jan 10-14 Mon/Wed/Th/Fri: Mon/Wed eve Classroom; Th/Fri Field Days
Jan 15-17 Sat-Mon: Sat Classroom; Sun/Mon Field Days
Jan 16-18 Sun-Tue: Sunday Classroom; Mon/Tue Field Days
Jan 18-23 Tue/Th/Sat/Sun: Tue/Th Evening Classroom; Sat/Sun Field Days
Jan 24-27 Mon/Tue/Wed/Th: Mon/Tue eve Classroom; Wed/Th Field Days
Jan 29-31 Sat-Mon: Sat Classroom; Sun/Mon Field Days
Feb 5-7 Sat-Mon: Sat Classroom; Sun/Mon Field Days
Feb 8-13 Tue/Th/Sat/Sun: Tue/Th Evening Classroom; Sat/Sun Field Days
Feb 19-21 Sat-Mon: Sat Classroom; Sun/Mon Field Days
Feb 22-25 Tue/Wed/Th/Fri: Tue/Wed eve Classroom; Th/Fri Field Days
Feb 26-28 Sat-Mon: Sat Classroom; Sun/Mon Field Days
Mar 1-6 Tue/Th/Sat/Sun: Tu/Th Evening Classroom; Sa/Su Field Days
Mar 11-13 Fri-Sun: Friday Classroom; Sa/Su Field Days
Mar 12-14 Sat-Mon: Sat Classroom; Sun/Mon Field Days
Mar 14-20 Mon/Tue Sat/Sun: Mon/Tue Evening Classroom; Sat/Sun Field Days
Mar 22-27 Tue/Th/Sat/Sun: Tu/Th Evening Classroom; Sa/Su Field Days
Please note that you will only see the start date for the course when you are booking. If the date shows 0 open spots, the course is sold out and you may opt to join the waitlist for that course. You may join as many waitlists as you like.
Overall Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Skills Required: Solid intermediate skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing skills
Fitness Level: Moderate
Snow Travel Gear
Safety Gear
Snow Study Equipment (required for AIARE Level 2 ONLY)
About two thirds of the time will be spent outside. AIARE guidelines required two full field days.
Yes, we believe that the Intro to Ski Touring course would work very well. This very application and movement based ski touring course is a great compliment the more principle-based AIARE course. This is why we offer a 10% discount for anyone who signs up for both courses.
Although tipping is not a requirement, it is considered standard practice in the guiding industry and is appreciated by our guides. We generally recommend roughly 10%-15% of your course or trip cost or a flat amount that you are comfortable with.
