What is AIARE?
Beyond the resort starts here
Dreaming of fresh lines beyond the resort? Before you head into the backcountry, it’s worth knowing what AIARE is—and why avalanche education is the key to keeping those powder days safe and fun.
The gold standard in avalanche education
We teach AIARE curriculum because it’s the gold standard in avalanche education. Since 1998, AIARE (the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education) has been the trusted source for backcountry learning, used by more than 110 providers around the world. Its evidence-based approach gives skiers and riders the skills to travel safely in avalanche terrain through consistent, research-driven lessons.
Colorado’s snowpack is notoriously complex and unpredictable—so solid avalanche education isn’t optional, it’s essential. As Colorado’s largest AIARE course provider, we combine expert instruction with real hands-on field time.
Because at the end of the day, knowledge is your most important piece of gear.
How AIARE started
AIARE began in 1998 when a group of mountain guides realized that avalanche education across the U.S. was inconsistent. They set out to create a unified, evidence-based curriculum rooted in real mountain experience.
Today, AIARE curriculum educates more backcountry travelers than any other avalanche education organization in the U.S. Its standardized approach means whether you take a course in Colorado or Alaska, you’ll learn proven methods for risk assessment, terrain management, and decision-making in avalanche conditions.
Why you need to take an AIARE course first
If you’re planning to ski, ride, or tour beyond resort boundaries this winter, an AIARE 1 course is your essential starting point. Avalanches don’t care how fit, experienced, or confident you are—only how well-prepared you are.
Taking an AIARE course gives you the knowledge and confidence to make smart calls in uncertain terrain. You’ll learn how to read avalanche forecasts, understand the snowpack, spot warning signs, and make go/no-go decisions that keep you and your friends safe.
This is integral knowledge for anyone stepping into the backcountry—it’s not just about safety, it’s about freedom to explore with confidence.
What you’ll learn in AIARE Level 1
Our 3-Day AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course blends online learning, classroom sessions, and two full field days led by certified instructors with deep local knowledge.
You’ll get hands-on experience with:
Equipment: How to use your beacon, shovel, and probe efficiently, plus what survival gear to pack.
Weather & Snowpack: How to interpret avalanche forecasts and understand Colorado’s tricky snow conditions.
Trip Planning: How to choose routes, plan objectives, and manage your group in real terrain.
Hazards & Rescue: How to recognize warning signs, manage risk, and perform a companion rescue.
All students can use complimentary Ortovox avalanche gear (beacon, shovel, probe, pack) and receive a course manual, field book, and certificate of completion.
This is where you start…and grow
If you’re serious about exploring the backcountry this winter, start with AIARE Level 1. It’s the foundation that every Colorado backcountry traveler should have before venturing out.
To learn how to use touring skis/splitboards, skins, and avalanche gear…take our Intro to Backcountry Ski & Snowboard course first to get a primer.
Already have AIARE 1 under your belt? Now it’s time to level up with AIARE Avalanche Rescue and AIARE 2. These courses build on your foundation, teaching advanced risk management, rescue skills, and decision-making for more complex terrain.
You’ll walk away with more than knowledge—you’ll have the confidence to make better decisions, the tools to stay safe, and the stoke to enjoy every line responsibly.
Your backcountry journey starts with AIARE- this journey only gets more rewarding as you progress.
