AIARE Avalanche Training

2024 Group Courses

January 20    February 3    March 2

Private Instruction

Available Any Day Jan. 15 – April 30

Prerequisite

Must be competent skier or rider on blue terrain. Minimum age 14 years old

Course Description

Learn what it takes to begin venturing into the backcountry including the basics about avalanche hazards, weather observations, and trip planning.  Overview of all equipment, including beacon, shovel and probe.  Then head out to the trail for a basic tour through the woods.  This is a great prep course for AIARE Level 1.

Time

8:30 am – 4 pm

Cost

$200/person

Equipment 

ALL equipment included EXCEPT boots and personal clothing.  Lunch NOT included

FREE Weston demo gear available for participants.  Touring skis and Splitboards.  Exact models and sizes are limited and priority given to those who sign up first.  Boots not included – but downhill boots are fine.

FREE Weston demo gear available for participants.  Touring skis and Splitboards.  Exact models and sizes are limited and priority given to those who sign up first.  Boots not included – but downhill boots are fine.

Prerequisite

The AIARE 1 is for anyone, regardless of their method of backcountry travel, who wants to recreate in or near avalanche terrain. You should be able to travel off-trail on ungroomed or unmaintained terrain and bring appropriate equipment for traveling on snow, but there are no other prerequisites for this course.

Course Description

This 24-hour course is an introduction to managing avalanche hazard. You will learn how to use a repeatable process to manage your risk and learn from your experiences in the backcountry. You will also practice preparing for and carrying out a backcountry trip, keeping track of, communicating, and making decisions about hazards while in the backcountry, and learn rescue techniques if an avalanche occurs and someone is caught. Students should be able to travel off-trail on ungroomed or unmaintained terrain and bring appropriate equipment for traveling on snow, but there are no other prerequisites for this course.

Venue

Course meets at RMOC.  Actual mountain venues will be determined on a daily based on current weather and snowpack. We operate in the Sawatch Range of Central Colorado and have access to a variety of zones, including Monarch Pass, Independence Pass, and Fremont Pass.

Itinerary

Actual syllabus will be emailed to participant after registration.  Will be a combination of virtual learning and outdoor classroom time.  Expect long sessions in a snowpacked mountain environment. Additionally, expect approximately 4 hours of pre-course work prior to the start of the class.

Details

Demo skis and splitboards available from Weston Backcountry at no extra charge.  Avi kits available if needed (Beacon, shovel, probe, backpack).  Meals NOT included

2024 Dates

• March 22-24

Cost

$460

Prerequisite

You should be able to travel off-trail on ungroomed or unmaintained terrain.

Course Description

This course is appropriate for both new and experienced recreational backcountry travelers, as well as aspiring avalanche professionals. 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.  This one-day (8-hour) course 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 companion rescue, and returning students will expand their skills with advanced topics and realistic scenario practice.

Venue

Course meets at RMOC.  Mountain venue will be determined by current weather and snowpack.

Details

Avi kits (beacon, shovel, probe, backpack) provided.   Splitboards and skis available for rent. No boots for rent, all gear compatible with downhill boots.

2024 Dates

• TBD

Cost

$180

FREE Weston demo gear available for participants.  Touring skis and Splitboards.  Exact models and sizes are limited and priority given to those who sign up first.  Boots not included – but downhill boots are fine.

Prerequisite

The prerequisites for this course are an AIARE 1, an Avalanche Rescue course, and a winter of practical experience after taking the AIARE 1

Course Description

The AIARE 2 builds on your experience as a backcountry traveler. You will learn tools to apply The AIARE Framework, the repeatable process you learned in an AIARE 1, to new situations and to self-direct your learning after the course. You will learn more skills to connect weather, snowpack and avalanche processes, and identify how these processes relate to observations and travel within avalanche terrain. This can enable you to act as a leader within a small travel group and to identify and target reducing uncertainty about the terrain or conditions.

Venue

Course meets at RMOC.  Actual mountain venues will be determined on a daily based on current weather and snowpack. We operate in the Sawatch Range of Central Colorado and have access to a variety of zones, including Monarch Pass, Independence Pass, and Fremont Pass.

Itinerary

Actual syllabus will be emailed to participant after registration.  Will be a combination of virtual learning and outdoor classroom time.  Expect long sessions in a snowpacked mountain environment. Additionally, expect approximately 4 hours of pre-course work prior to the start of the class.

Details

Avi kits included (Beacon, shovel, probe, backpack).  Meals NOT included

2024 Dates

• TBD

Cost

$460