AIARE LEVEL 2 Rec: Analyzing Snow Stability and Avalanche Hazard

Education – Winter – 3-Day

Take your avalanche education to the next level with an AIARE Rec Level 2 course!

The AIARE 2 is a three-day/24-hour course that provides backcountry travelers an opportunity to advance their decision making skills in more complicated situations such as being a leader within a small travel group, traveling in more complicated terrain, and/or developing a travel plan where online resources are scarce.

The AIARE 2 builds on the introductory avalanche hazard management model introduced in the AIARE 1 and adds to it the evaluation of critical hazard assessment factors. Students will describe and discuss weather, snowpack and avalanche processes, and identify how these processes relate to observations and travel within avalanche terrain.

While we are very excited to bring back in-person and hut-based AIARE Level I Courses this season, we are cognizant that COVID-19 remains problematic, and we are instituting safety policies for our students, guides, and staff.

As such, for all classroom based and hut-based courses we will be requiring

Proof of full COVID-19 Vaccination
or
Proof of a negative COVID-19 Test 48 Hours Prior to the course

Depending on the severity of the COVID-19 Situation at time of the course, we may be requiring masks for indoor courses. We will continue to follow all Local, State, and CDC health guidelines throughout the season and as such our COVID policy is subject to change.

Book online now!

970.893.8007

REVIEWS

Prerequisites:

Prior to taking a Level 2, students must complete:

Avalanche Safety Level 1 (AIARE or AAA) with 1 year of experience applying that knowledge
AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course (1-day)

This course can be taken on alpine touring skis, or splitboard. 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:

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
FREE use of ORTOVOX avalanche equipment if needed (beacon, shovel, probe, pack)
Breakfast and Dinner included on Hut-Based

General Info

Duration: 3 days (24+ hours)

Dates:

Jan 10-12th Hut-Based

March 11-13th Camping-Based

Price:

$895 for Hut-Based

$650 for Camping-Based

Maximum Participants: 12

Prerequisites: The AIARE 2 is a three-day course for those who have taken an AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue and have had at least a year of backcountry travel experience. The AIARE 2 provides backcountry leaders the opportunity to advance their avalanche knowledge and decision making skills.

Participants must have the ability to travel in avalanche terrain. An AIARE 1 Course (strongly recommended) or equivalent Level 1 training is required. A winter of practical experience after the Level 1 course is required before taking the AIARE 2 course.
AIARE or AAA approved one-day Avalanche Rescue Course.

Location: Breckenridge, CO

Syllabus

E-Learning materials, Level 1 Review, and Student Manual are sent 1 month prior to course to be completed.

Day 1 Hut Based

AM: Meet at TH, gather gear, and tour to hut location
PM: Afternoon skills session

Day 1 Camping Based

Full day of classroom presentations and discussions

Day 2 Hut Based

All Day Field Session: Managing uncertainty, developing a forecast, discuss weather, snowpack and avalanche processes, and identify how these processes relate to observations and travel within avalanche terrain.

Day 2 Camping Based

Travel to camping location, setup camp followed by field session for the rest of the day by managing uncertainty, discussing weather, snowpack and avalanche processes, and identifying how these processes relate to observations and travel within avalanche terrain.

Day 3

Student led tour and Course Close

What you’ll learn:

Differentiate where specific avalanche hazards exist within the landscape and identify avalanche terrain where consequences may be more severe.
Use and interpret weather, snow, and avalanche observations to locate appropriate terrain prior to entering and while in the field.
Demonstrate leadership skills within a small team that include facilitating small group discussion, promoting appropriate terrain selection, and utilizing simple risk management strategies.
Implement a basic forecasting framework that can be used in conjunction with and in the absences of local supporting avalanche information.