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AIARE Level 1
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 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!

