AIARE LEVEL 1 Avalanche Safety

3-Day Course

970.423.2295

REVIEWS

Learn. Practice. Stay Alive.

The standard AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course is a 3-Day course that combines both classroom and field instruction to introduce participants to the hazards of traveling in avalanche terrain. 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. Our AIARE certified leaders and instructors will teach you how to recognize, manage, and minimize these hazards and reduce risks.

Prerequisites:

This course can be taken on alpine touring skis or splitboard. No prior backcountry experience required but it is highly recommended that participants with touring gear have experience on their setup prior to taking this course. Alpine touring skis and splitboards are available for rent from local shops. Students on skis or boards must be comfortable in steep blue to black terrain at the ski resort.

Price Includes:

Local AIARE Certified Course Leader and Instructors
24-hour course with a 6:1 maximum instructor to student ratio
Student manual and weather-proof AIARE field book
Use of beacon, shovel and probe (if needed)

General Info

Duration: 3 days (1 day classroom and 2 days in field)

Dates: all dates are for winter 2020-21

December 4-6
December 11-13
December 18-20
January 1-3
January 15-17 – Splitboard Specific with Weston Backcountry
January 22-24
January 29-31
February 12-14
February 26-28
March 5-7
March 12-14
March 19-21
March 26-28

Price: $525 per person

Student:Instructor Ratio: 6:1

Location: Summit County and surrounding areas

Syllabus

Day One:

Classroom instruction and introduction to avalanche safety and avalanche problems, trip planning, decision making, route-finding techniques, identifying avalanche terrain, how to use your field book, etc.

Day Two

Field instruction: Beacon range and companion rescue.
Field instruction: snow pit analysis and tests, beacon range and companion rescue techniques in a real mountain environment

Day Three:

AM Trip planning for day of backcountry travel.
After trip planning we head into the backcountry to put all of the knowledge together in a real backcountry environment.

What you’ll learn:

Trip Planning and Preparation
Reading and understanding the avalanche forecast
Classifications and characteristics of different types of avalanches
Recognizing hazardous conditions
Understanding a mountain snowpack
Basics of route selection and terrain management
Managing risk and decision making
Human factors and influence
Efficient use of beacon/shovel/probe
Companion rescue techniques
Group management

Course Itinerary

Friday

Full day of classroom. (8hrs)

Saturday & Sunday

Two full field days. After a quick AM planning session you’ll head into the backcountry to practice your skills. (16hrs)