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AIARE 1

Avalanche Education Course

AIARE Level 1

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.

Contacts

Uwe Sartori
Uwe Sartori
Leader

AIARE 1, Session 1

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.

Who Should Take this Course

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

The AIARE 1 is a prerequisite for the AIARE 2, as well as the Pro 1 course for aspiring avalanche professionals. 

What You’ll Learn

During an AIARE 1 course, you’ll spend time learning these skills, both in a classroom setting and in the field: 

  • A repeatable process for managing risk in the winter backcountry
  • Identifying avalanche hazard
  • Developing a plan for travel in avalanche terrain
  • Identifying avalanche terrain
  • Build habits to maintain awareness, communicate with your group, and make decisions 
  • Learn and practice avalanche rescue skills

Families

If you are a CMC member and interested in having your family sign up for this course, reach out to us directly.

Our AIARE Course Leader is Karin Pocock, a 20+ year snow industry professional, and an exceptional educator and AIARE Program Leader. Check her out at skylinebackcountryguides.com

All participants will receive an AIARE Certificate of Completion, the AIARE Field Book and student manual.

Successful completion of this course is a pre-requisite for the AIARE Level 2 course. 

Club Membership is required to participate in this course. If you are not currently a member, please sign up for membership prior to registering with this course. Benefits of club membership include gear and event discounts as well as access to more classes, trips and events that enhance your experience of backcountry and mountaineering adventures.

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION Through January 1, 2024

$498.75 is the weekday discounted price. On January 2, 2024, the price reverts to $525.

Consider overnighting in either Georgetown or Winter Park for the field days. Get more rest and save drive time on I-70.

Cancellations & Rescheduling

Participants should understand and appreciate that these courses are held during the winter season where poor weather and driving conditions may require cancellation or rescheduling of this course. Please refer to the CMC's cancellation policy (see link above) prior to enrolling in the course. While this policy provides our primary guidance for such contingencies, the course leadership will attempt to accommodate enrollee's completion of the course during the current season based on class and instructor availability.

Consider overnighting in either Georgetown or Winter Park for the field days. Get more rest and save drive time on I-70.

TO MAXIMIZE YOUR LEARNING EXPERIENCE, PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW, FILL OUT AND SUBMIT YOUR AIARE STUDENT PROFILE FORM AFTER YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR REGISTRATION.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1aOFqszRwMZcnHiAvSe7iDaxOE5m8Pu-MInv55r-ZTVY/edit

Have questions? E-mail DenAIAREschool

Badges you will earn:

Course Requirements

This course has no scheduled activities.

Roster
Required Equipment

Clothing:  Bundle up folks. Field days will commence even during cold and snowy weather. In Colorado that means layers and back-ups. Hand and toe warmers. Extra gloves are a good idea.

Helmet for skiers and splitboarders

Ski goggles and sunglasses.

Mode of Travel: AT Skis, Tele skis, split boards, snowshoes. Being comfortable in and with your gear is the most important thing. We are in a learning environment, not qualifying for a team.

Food for the Day: consider hot drink, water, energy snacks.

Sunblock, personal med kit, your normal repair kit suitable for your gear 

Think 10 essentials to keep you alive in the cold, sometimes very cold Colorado winter.  We'll talk about this on our zoom day.

Avalanche Gear - The Club has loaner Beacon/Probe/Shovel kits available to those who do have their own.  If you do not presently own the gear, hold off on buying. Especially if you have not made any decisions about the extent of your backcountry winter forays; whichever winter discipline you are contemplating pursuing. Let us know if you need the gear by filling out the Winter Profile Survey.

Have questions? E-mail DenAIAREschool

Course Materials

You must register for this course to see course materials.