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Colorado Adventure Guides offers AIARE 1 courses based out of our basecamp in Central Colorado. AIARE level 1 is a 3-day introduction to managing avalanche hazard where you will learn a repeatable process to manage your risk and learn from your experiences in the backcountry. Students will also practice preparing for and carrying out a backcountry trip, keeping track of conditions, communicating, making decisions about hazards while in the backcountry, and learning rescue techniques if an avalanche occurs and someone is caught.
All of our AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Courses are a minimum of 24 hours in length within a 3-Day in-person course. Our courses are formatted by combining E-Learning, classroom and field instruction to introduce participants to the hazards of traveling in avalanche terrain. Your education is of upmost importance to us and we want to make sure that you get the education that you need and don’t cut corners in delivering the best product so that we can maximize your commitment!
Efficient use of beacon/shovel/probe
Pre-trip equipment check
Survival gear checklist
Basics of route selection and terrain management
Trip planning and preparation
Rescue and emergency preparation
Group management
Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain is a three-part program for individuals who enjoy winter recreation in the backcountry. The entire Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain program includes seven days of classroom, field, and self-paced online training. The curriculum is typically delivered in the following parts: the AIARE 1 (3 days), Avalanche Rescue (1 day), and the AIARE 2 (3 days)
Imagine spending the weekend with avalanche professionals in the backcountry, learning about snow safety while sipping tea in front of a crackling wood stove. Backcountry skiing or snowboarding right to the hut to enjoy a cold beer while debriefing the day. Students will practice preparing for and carrying out a backcountry trip, keeping track of conditions, communicating, making decisions about hazards while in the backcountry, and learning rescue techniques, and how to execute a winter backcountry hut trip!
Back again for this season we have partnered up with Winter Park Ski Resort to offer lift-accessed AIARE 1 courses! These courses will be ran in the traditional 3-day format as other courses, but the field days will be based out of the resort where the team will use lifts to access the terrain. These courses will still have touring components outside of the resort boundaries and so touring gear is still required. Lift passes not included.
Colorado Adventure Guides is proud to be one of the original splitboard specific course developers and providers in the country! With the support of Weston Backcountry, we will be offering two splitboard specific AIARE 1 Courses this season. Want more? Check out out Splitboard Progression Program!
Colorado Adventure Guides is proud to offer female-specific avalanche courses again this season! We understand there are sometimes barriers in backcountry education and are here to support female-identifying individuals along the way! We are one of the first outfitters to offer women’s specific avalanche education and are the biggest provider of avalanche education in Summit County. Check out and join in on one of our Female Specific courses this season and get out with a likeminded group! Contact us for availability!
Traveling in the backcountry requires a solid understanding of avalanche risk and the knowledge to mitigate these risks through appropriate terrain assessment and decision making. Colorado is home to one of the most complex snowpacks in the entire world and people come from all across the globe to study the snowpack here. Our local team of AIARE certified leaders and instructors are passionate about where we live, work, and teach and have an intimate relationship with the local terrain and snowpack conditions where we operate. Check out our Why Should I Take an AIARE Course with CAG blog to learn more.
E-Learning materials and Student Manual for AIARE Level 1 are sent one month prior to course
8:00am–4:00pm : Classroom Presentations and Trip Planning Lesson
7:30am – 3:30pm : Companion Rescue and Making Relevant Observations.
7:30am – 4:00pm : Student Led Tour and Course Close
3 days (24+ hrs)
2024/2025 Course dates as follows;
Standard Level 1 Courses:
Lift-Accessed Resort Based Level 1 Courses @ Winter Park:
Splitboard Specific Level 1 Courses:
$635 per person / $995 per person Hut-Based
6 Students:1 Instructor
Summit Country, CO and surrounding locations.
Silverthorne Basecamp:
204 Ryan Gulch Rd Silverthorne, CO 80498
CAG Avalanche Course Equipment List – PDF
Avalanche Beacon
Avalanche Probe
Avalanche Shovel
Medium sized backpack (approx. 40L)
Alpine Touring Skis, Telemark Skis, or Splitboard
Climbing Skins (must be properly fitted)
Goggles
Helmet (optional)
Hard or softshell pants
Synthetic or merino wool base layer
Softshell jacket (optional)
Down or synthetic insulated jacket
Hardshell or water/wind resistant jacket
Light gloves for uphill travel
Warm gloves
Brimmed hat or visor
Sunglasses
Neck gaitor or buff
Backcountry gear necessary for AIARE Level 1 can be rented directly from Colorado Adventure Guides at our Silvethorne, CO Basecamp. Please visit our rentals page or contact us for details.
Joining CAG for a Summit based adventure? Check out our partners at The Pad, Silverthorne’s first boutique hotel/hostel, centrally-located along the Blue River, in the heart of Colorado ski country. Built for the modern traveler, their affordable, yet high-amenity, lodging in beautiful Summit County, Colorado allows our guests to prioritize experience, adventure and to focus their spending on activities and experiences in the Rocky Mountains and our community. Just ask the folks at CAG for details or click the button below for 10% off your stay!
Refunds will be honored for cancellations more than 14 DAYS PRIOR to a course or a camp start time. An administrative fee of 10% will be assessed for all cancellations.
All activities are Rain or Shine. In case of operator cancellation due to adverse or unsafe conditions prior to start time, first the operator will attempt to reschedule. If rescheduling is not possible, the client will receive a full refund. Operator, including guides in the field, reserve the right to shorten or reroute activity in the case of unmanageable hazards or inability of guest to complete the objective. Completion of objective-based routes is not guaranteed.
Rescheduling will be honored 14 days prior to AIARE Level 1 start date. An administrative fee of 10% will be assessed for all rescheduling. This allows us the time to contact those who have been put on the wait-list.
AIARE Level 1 can be taken on alpine touring skis or splitboard. It is a requirement that participants are familiar with their touring gear and have experience on their setup prior to taking this course. Alpine touring skis and splitboards are available for rent from our Silverthorne, CO basecamp.
Students on skis or boards must be comfortable in steep blue to black terrain at the ski resort.
Students should be able to travel off-trail on ungroomed or unmaintained terrain and bring appropriate equipment for traveling on snow.
Don’t know how to use your touring gear yet? Sign up for one of our 1-day Intro to Backcountry Ski or Splitboard Courses!
Colorado Adventure Guides offers the AIARE 1 – 3 day Avalanche Safety Course starting at $595 per person.
Colorado Adventure Guides is priority is keeping our patrons and students safe. Our instructors are trained to recognize potentially hazardous situations in the backcountry; they plan and operate accordingly. Prior to the start of any course or backcountry trip you will be asked to complete a brief health history. The failure to disclose pertinent information on the health history form could result in serious harm, even death, to the signing participant, other guests and/or the guide. All information submitted is completely confidential; it is for the guide’s use and would only be shared in the event of an emergency with medical and/or rescue personnel directly caring for the guest. This can be a physically demanding course, and your ability to enjoy the adventure depends on your health and fitness, thus it’s recommended that you are in good physical condition.
It is recommended that you are familiar with your backcountry equipment and possess the skiing/snowboarding ability to comfortably ride steep blue and black runs at a resort to take AIARE 1.
For those who would like to select all the members of their party, you may book a private group course. Private groups may select a traditional classroom component instead of Zoom, if they prefer. Course dates can be requested between February 1 and March 31, subject to availability. If you are interested, please let us know!
For classroom based courses you will meet at our Silverthorne basecamp. For field based days students will be encouraged to utilize our CAG Company vans or to carpool to help alleviate trailhead overcrowding.
Your instructors work hard before, during, and after your course to provide you with a great experience and while not expected, gratuities are always highly appreciated and if you had a safe, educational, and fun experience. Gratuities typically range from 15-20%.
The AIARE 1 course is developed for new to intermediate backcountry users or for those looking to formalize their education. This course is for experienced resort skiers/riders that have a base knowledge of how to use their backcountry touring equipment. Not quite there yet? Check out our 1-day Intro to Ski/Splitboard Courses
The AIARE 1 course is part 1 of the Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain program. The Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain program is a recreational program that consists of 3 courses spanning a total of 7 days. While there is no actual certification after taking the courses you will obtain course completions. With that being said, the AIARE 1 course is a prerequisite to the AIARE 2 course and so you must attend the AIARE 1 course to continue with the program.
The AIARE 1 certificate does not have an expiration date. It is strongly encouraged that you practice and maintain the skills and knowledge covered in this course. Colorado Adventure Guides offers Avalanche Refresher Courses to help keep your backcountry knowledge and skills fresh.
Colorado Adventure Guides offers AIARE 1 based out of basecamp in Silverthorne, Colorado. AIARE 1 courses will be split between the classroom curriculum and in the field at various locations in Summit County and surrounding areas including Eagle County, Clear Creek County, and Grand County. We also offer hut-based and ski resort based courses.
Our AIARE Level 1 courses have limited capacity and tend to book up months in advance. It is strongly recommended that you reserve your spot before the winter season starts.
