The course is intended for anyone who has previously taken an AIARE 1—or comparable introductory avalanche education—and wants to refresh skills that may have faded over time. It’s also a powerful way for touring partners to reconnect on communication, risk tolerance, and travel strategies before winter ramps up.
The AIARE 1 Refresher course is an opportunity to gain practice leading a backcountry tour in a mentored setting. This one-day, field-based course is geared toward backcountry travelers who have previously taken an AIARE 1 or equivalent course, though it may have been some time ago. The course provides students with a chance to practice each element of the AIARE Decision-Making Framework as they plan and lead a backcountry tour, practice companion rescue, and make a plan to continue their avalanche education. If you’re returning to formal avalanche education for the first time in years or setting off on the right foot with a new group of travel partners, this course was created for you.
We believe that learning about the outdoors is best done outside. As an AIARE 1 graduate, the conceptual knowledge will be present enough, so that we can spend the entire day refreshing, applying, and solidifying your skills in the field. This refresher course will be spent entirely in the Snoqualmie Pass backcountry.
If you are interested in just avalanche rescue, there is a separate course for that (AIARE Rescue).
Overall Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Skills Required: Solid intermediate skiing skills or snowshoeing skills, AIARE 1 recommended or some prior avalanche education. Familiarity with avalanche gear.
Fitness Level: Not Very Strenuous
Curriculum
Snow Travel Gear
Safety Gear
Snow Study Equipment (required for AIARE Level 2 ONLY)
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 amount that you are comfortable with.
