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Course

AIARE 1 Refresher Course

Overview

AIARE 1 Refresher is a one-day course for backcountry travelers who have previous avalanche education and want to rebuild confidence before the season starts. Review essential concepts online, then spend a day in the field practicing rescue skills, terrain management, and communication strategies with an AIARE Instructor.  It’s a powerful way for touring partners to reconnect on communication, risk tolerance, and travel strategies before winter ramps up.

 

 

 

$250 Per Person
1 Days
Difficulty
Ratio:
6:1, 12:2

Trip Information

$250
Price based on 4-6 people. 425-888-6397 x2 | [email protected]

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. 

 

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).

Duration: 1
Ratio: 6:1, 12:2
Difficulty Level:
Click here to learn more about difficulty ratings.

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

 


Private Trips Available

Don't see a date that works for you? Pro Guiding Service offers any trip or courses on a private basis. We are flexible! Call or email to inquire.
Learn MoreView Dates & Availability

Itinerary

Curriculum

  • Review: Anatomy of an avalanche
  • Review: Recognizing avalanche terrain
  • The difference between a ski touring course and an avalanche course and what this means to your skill set
  • Application of a tour plan in the context of avalanche hazard
  • Efficient movement in avalanche terrain
  • Group management and the human factor
  • Avalanche rescue
  • Field tests reviewed

Private Trips

Pro Guiding Service proudly offers the most diverse ski touring and ski mountaineering programs of any guiding service in the Northwest. Smaller, more intimate custom itineraries or instructional tours are available for any of our destinations. Tell us what you want to do, and we can create a customized plan for you.
View Private Trips

Pricing

$250
per person
Price based on 4-6 people. 425-888-6397 x2 | [email protected]
View Dates & Availability
Payment Policy
If booking a domestic trip that is over 60 days away or an international trip that is over 90 days away, you can book your trip by paying a 20% deposit.  View Full Policy
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel for any reason 60 or more days before domestic trips or 90 or more days before international and Alaska trips, we will refund everything you have paid minus half of your deposit. No refunds will be provided if you cancel your trip for ANY REASON (this includes but is not limited to illness including CoVid-19, injury, or work-related issues) within 60 days of the start of domestic trips or 90 days of international and Alaska based trips.  View Full Policy

Equipment List

Clothing
Base Layer
  • Lightweight or midweight top (avoid cotton)
  • Lightweight or midweight long underwear bottoms, may omit depending on the warmth of your pants
  • Warm socks
Mid Layer
  • Fleece or wool or similar warmth layer
  • Wind shirt or soft shell jacket - wind & water resistant, breathable
Outerwear
  • Waterproof/breathable jacket with hood
  • Ski/snowboard pants - either softshell or waterproof pants are acceptable
  • Waterproof pants - necessary in warmer temps if your ski pants are not waterproof - ensure you can get them on/off over your boots (full side zips ideal)
  • Down or synthetic puffy-type jacket
  • Warm hat - should cover ears
  • Sun hat - baseball type or visor
  • Lightweight gloves
  • Ski gloves or mittens
  • A 3rd pair of gloves - recommended for temps above freezing because your gloves will get wet (lightweight or midweight)
Personal Gear
  • Day pack – large enough to fit everything inside (around 30 liters) - dedicated shovel pocket preferred
  • Water bottles - enough for a full day - wide mouth best to prevent freezing shut, hydration systems are okay if the temps are going to be above freezing
  • Lunch and snacks - enough for a full day
  • Sunglasses - adequate for snow travel
  • Goggles
  • Sunscreen - SPF 25+, waterproof
  • Lip Balm - SPF 15+
  • Face mask/covering - for when closer contact is required during training
Technical Gear

Snow Travel Gear

  • Snow travel equipment - alpine touring or telemark skis, splitboard, or snowshoe
    • Make sure you are proficient at using this gear prior to the course!
  • Boots - touring ski boots, snowboard boots, or winter hiking boots (if snowshoeing)
  • Poles - adjustable poles are ideal so you can adjust the length when going uphill/downhill
  • Climbing skins - if using skis or splitboard
  • Ski brakes or removable ski leashes

Safety Gear

  • Avalanche Beacon
  • Shovel - compact, lightweight, metal blade preferred
  • Probe - dedicated probe only (240cm or longer strongly recommended)

Snow Study Equipment (required for AIARE Level 2 ONLY)

  • Snow saw - longer saws are better for stability tests
  • Snow crystal ID card - black and metal preferred

 

Optional Items
  • Basic snow study kit - dial stem thermometer(s), crystal card, magnifying loupe, ruler
  • Notebook and writing utensil
  • Thermos - with a hot drink
  • Compass - adjustable declination a must
  • Altimeter watch
  • Maps - contact guiding office for appropriate quadrangles
  • Map case - large Ziploc bags work well
  • Camera
  • Hand sanitizer
Equipment Sales & Rental

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FAQs

Should I tip my guide?

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.

Why Book With Us? 

Certified Professional Guides & All Access
All of our guides have 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.
Safe, Well-Planned Tour Design
Every tour has a carefully thought-out guide-to-customer ratio. You always get a safe, high-quality trip or learning environment with us.
Pioneers In The Industry
You will travel and learn from experts. We've pioneered several alpine climbing routes, ski descents, and traverses and we've written books on skills and routes in the industry. 
Read Our story
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