AIARE 1 Avalanche Course for Skiers and Splitboarders

The AIARE 1 “Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain” course is a 24-hour, certified course for skiers and splitboarders. Graduates earn the AIARE 1 certificate and Mountaineers Level 1 Avalanche badge. The course focuses on using the AIARE Fieldbook (framework) and developing small group communication skills to identify, evaluate, and mitigate risk in avalanche terrain. The course introduces students to the basic terminology, formation and action of avalanches. It covers the elements of the snowpack and weather that are included in your local avalanche forecast and the human factors that account for most human-caused avalanches. You will also learn and practice rescue skills using your avalanche beacon, shovel and probe to locate victims of an avalanche.

The course consists of four, 2-hour evening Zoom lecture/small group sessions and one full, 2-day weekend in small groups (6:1 student instructor ratio). ATTENDANCE AT ALL CLASSROOM SESSIONS AND ONE FIELD TRIP WEEKEND ARE REQUIRED TO EARN YOUR AIARE CERTIFICATE. Classroom sessions combine one hour of small group work with an AIARE certified instructor and one hour of large group presentations. The weekend sessions in your small group start at 8:00am and finish at 5:00pm in the Snoqualmie Pass backcountry.

This is an entry-level course for backcountry travel on skis and splitboards only. No previous backcountry experience is required, but all participants in this course must have randonnee bindings/skins and should have good on-snow skills on skis or splitboard as the consecutive Saturday and Sunday weekend will be small group travel in varying snow-covered terrain. Students will be asked to fill out a skills and fitness questionnaire for placement in a small group with others of similar skills, fitness, and equipment. If you have any questions please feel free to email avy@foothillswinter.org.

Student Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the Level 1 course students should be able to:

• Work with a group to plan and prepare for travel in avalanche terrain.
• Identify avalanche terrain.
• Use the AIARE framework/fieldbook to make decisions in avalanche terrain.
• Learn and apply effective companion rescue.

• 4 weekday evening Zoom lectures
• One 2-day weekend Field Session at Snoqualmie Pass 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Course Fee:  Member: $420  Non-Members:    $500

No refunds after Dec. 24.