Avalanche awareness and safety training is a must for anyone who engages in winter activities in the backcountry, including backcountry skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing, climbing, and backpacking to name a few.
The Colorado Mountain Club offers courses from the American Institute of Avalanche Research Education (AIARE). AIARE Level 1, Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain, teaches you to recognize avalanche terrain, how to assess when it is safe to be in the area, and rescue techniques. Topics coverd include: snow pack evaluation, hazard analysis, safe travel techniques, companion rescue using beacon, shovel, probe.
In 2021, AIARE is moving to online webinars and videos for student self-paced instruction replacing previous classroom time. Field sessions are held each of the three days of the 24-hour course.
If you're not planning to travel in avalanche terrain, then we recommend you start by taking an Avalanche Terrain Avoidance (ATA) seminar. This course teaches you where to find information on avalanche conditions and how to avoid avalanche terrain while in the backcountry.
AIARE Companion Rescue is an 8-hour field course that teaches usage of beacon/shovel/probe and techniques to extract a burried victim.
Scholarships are available to support continued education and training for CMC trip leaders and instructors. Click here for more information
AIARE Level 1
AIARE Companion Rescue
AIARE Level 1
AIARE Level 2
Seminar via Zoom January 13 6:30-8:30 pm - Limit 40
Four Field Exercises - Limit 10 per session
Seminar via Zoom February 2 6:30-8:30 pm - Limit 40
Students must register for both the seminar and one of the field sessions applicable to the seminar date for which they register.