Guided Mountain Adventures
in the Pacific Northwest and Beyond!
All skill levels welcome, from first-time rock climbers to experienced ski mountaineers!
Popular and Upcoming Programs
One day, field-based, for travelers with prior training who know that skills don't maintain themselves.
The Evidence For Ongoing Training
The skills you learned in your AIARE 1 course can fade over time. Keep them sharp to keep yourself and your group safe.
In a first-of-its-kind study conducted with Eastern Oregon University, AIARE tracked nearly 1,700 students across three winters and found that those who completed avalanche courses measurably increased the frequency of safe backcountry behaviors — including terrain selection, recognition of unstable conditions, and end-of-day decision review. The Refresher is designed to sustain and deepen that effect over time.
If you’ve never taken a class together before, it’s also a great way to set expectations for your regular touring group.
AIARE continuously refines its curriculum as research evolves. The decision-making frameworks, human factors guidance, and rescue protocols taught today reflect current best practices.
What the course involves
The AIARE 1 Refresher is a one-day, field-based course structured around the AIARE Decision-Making Framework. Students plan and lead a backcountry tour under the guidance of a certified AIARE Instructor, applying each element of the framework in real terrain and conditions.
Online pre-course component: Review terrain management principles, communication strategies, and rescue fundamentals prior to field day.
Full day in the field: Plan and lead a backcountry tour with an AIARE instructor, practicing applied decision-making in real conditions.
Companion rescue practice: Hands-on refinement of beacon search, probing, and shoveling under instructor supervision.
Continued education planning: Students leave with a structured plan for continuing their avalanche education through the season and beyond.
Who should enroll
Backcountry travelers who completed an AIARE 1 or equivalent course but have not practiced formally in one or more seasons
Touring groups seeking to align on communication strategies, risk tolerance, and travel protocols before the season begins
Experienced travelers returning to the backcountry after an extended absence
Prerequisite: Prior completion of an AIARE 1, Avalanche Canada AST 1 + MAT courses, or comparable 24 hour introductory avalanche course is required. Contact your AIARE Provider if you have questions about whether your prior training qualifies.
Course Description
AIARE 1 follows a hybrid model, with approximately 8 hours of self-paced, online coursework followed by two 8-hour days in the field. You will receive access to this approximately 2 weeks before your course.
All of our AIARE Level 1 courses require attendance at an online pre-course meeting 2 evenings before your course start date. For Sat-Sun courses this is typically Thursday evening 6:30-8:30pm. All online learning is due prior to this meeting. Your instructor will reach out before the course with more information.
Students can expect to develop a good grounding in how to prepare for and carry out a backcountry trip, to understand basic decision making while in the field, and to learn rescue techniques required to find and dig up a buried person (if an avalanche occurs and someone in the party is caught).
Who Should Take this Course
The AIARE 1 is for ANYONE, regardless of method of travel, who wants to recreate in or near avalanche terrain. Participants may have attended some awareness classes or workshops or completed the Avalanche Rescue course, but none are a prerequisite for this course.
Aspiring professionals will need to take the AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue as a prerequisite for the Pro 1 course.
Student Learning Outcomes
At the end of the AIARE 1 course, the student should be able to:
Develop a plan for travel in avalanche terrain.
Demonstrate the ability to identify avalanche terrain.
Effectively use The AIARE Risk Management Framework to make terrain choices in a group setting.
Demonstrate effective companion rescue.
Prerequisites
Students must be able to travel in avalanche terrain and bring appropriate equipment for traveling on snow to class. There are no other prerequisites.
Prior experience with ski touring is recommended for this course. For a comprehensive introduction to backcountry experience, you can pair this with our Level I: Intro to Backcountry course. These two courses together will prepare you to safely adventure outside the ski resort!
Course Description
AIARE Avalanche Rescue is a one-day stand alone course that is intended to be retaken on a regular basis in order to keep abreast of best practices in rescue techniques and gear. New participants will learn the basics of companion rescue, while returning participants will expand their skill set with advanced topics and realistic scenario practice to help improve their skills.
Each participant will have the opportunity to receive professional coaching on their rescue skills, and will receive a rescue card acknowledging the completion date.
AIARE Avalanche Rescue is a prerequisite for the AIARE 2 and Pro 1 courses. AIARE recommends that all backcountry travelers keep their skills current by taking an Avalanche Rescue course and receiving a rescue card at least every other year.
Who Should Take this Course
The Avalanche Rescue Course is a one-day course aimed both at new and experienced recreational backcountry travelers and aspiring avalanche professionals.
Student Learning Outcomes
At the end of the Avalanche Rescue course the student should be able to:
Describe what to do if they or a member of their party is caught in an avalanche.
Identify and be able to use gear necessary for avalanche rescue.
Set up a realistic scenario in order to practice an avalanche rescue response.
Improve their response skills and times during and after the course with feedback from instructors and peers.
Develop a plan for continuing practice.
All students will have the opportunity to get feedback from an instructor on their rescue skills and timed practice in a realistic scenario.
Students who have previously taken an AIARE 1 or an Avalanche Rescue Course will find value in having a professional help them set up realistic scenarios, practice skills in a realistic setting, receive feedback from an instructor, keep up with current best practices, and have an opportunity to practice advanced rescue skills.
Prerequisites
Students must be able to travel in the snow, and bring appropriate equipment for traveling on snow to class. There are no other prerequisites.
Course Description
This avalanche rescue course is designed specifically for climbers who intend to travel in or below avalanche terrain in small teams without their skis. It will focus on the how the rope affects the rescue process and our vulnerability while climbing technical terrain. Participants are welcome to bring their skis/splitboard, as it is common to still use these tools to approach, but rescue situations will be centered around situations that do not involve the skis/splitboard.
AIARE Avalanche Rescue is a one-day stand alone course that is intended to be retaken on a regular basis in order to keep abreast of best practices in rescue techniques and gear. New participants will learn the basics of companion rescue, while returning participants will expand their skill set with advanced topics and realistic scenario practice to help improve their skills.
Each participant will have the opportunity to receive professional coaching on their rescue skills, and will receive a rescue card acknowledging the completion date.
AIARE Avalanche Rescue is a prerequisite for the AIARE 2 and Pro 1 courses. AIARE recommends that all backcountry travelers keep their skills current by taking an Avalanche Rescue course and receiving a rescue card at least every other year.
Who Should Take this Course
This version of the AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course is a one-day course aimed climbers and alpinists who expect to spend time in or below avalanche terrain specifically as climbers, rather than descensionists.
Student Learning Outcomes
At the end of the Avalanche Rescue course the student should be able to:
Describe what to do if they or partner is caught in an avalanche.
Identify and be able to use gear necessary for avalanche rescue.
Set up a realistic scenario in order to practice an avalanche rescue response.
Improve their response skills and times during and after the course with feedback from instructors and peers.
Develop a plan for continuing practice.
All students will have the opportunity to get feedback from an instructor on their rescue skills and timed practice in a realistic scenario.
Students who have previously taken an AIARE 1 or an Avalanche Rescue Course will find value in having a professional help them set up realistic scenarios, practice skills in a realistic setting, receive feedback from an instructor, keep up with current best practices, and have an opportunity to practice advanced rescue skills.
Prerequisites
Students must be able to travel in the snow, and bring appropriate equipment for traveling on snow to class. There are no other prerequisites.
Koby Yudkin & Ben Lim
From Smith Rock to Mt. Hood and up to Mt. Baker and the North Cascades, we offer guided rock climbing, mountaineering, and backcountry skiing adventures and education, led by Portland’s only AMGA certified guides.
What Our Guests Say
"I scheduled a private backcountry ski day and could not have been more satisfied. Ben was patient, positive, and very knowledgeable in the field. I felt very safe and learned a lot in just one day. I would highly recommend Trillium Alpine Guides to everyone!"
Mary M. - First Tracks
“Koby was an expert in all topics covered. He took extra time to make sure everyone understood the skills being taught. Highlights for me were learning how to set snow anchors and crevasse rescue.”
Leslie F. - Crevasse Rescue Course
"I had a fantastic private ski tour with Ben - he was a great travel partner and we absolutely got the goods! I learn a whole lot of up-track tips & tricks from Ben's expertise. Good turns and smiles were shared!"
Sam R. - Private Backcountry Ski Tour
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